March 30 2002

Morrison got his 24th goal of the season

Crystal Palace's lingering play-off hopes were all but over with a 2-1 defeat away to promotion rivals Norwich City.

Two Norwich goals in four minutes before half-time from David Nielsen and Paul McVeigh put the Canaries in the driving seat.

Clinton Morrison got a goal back early in the second half in front of Norwich's biggest crowd of the season - 21,251.

Palace started the game well and had a number of chances. Granville had a powerful shot well saved by the legs of Norwich keeper Green.

In the fourth minute, Ade Akinbiyi had a powerful header from Aki Riihilahti's cross blocked by Norwich defender Malky Mackay. A minute later, Kenton blocked a goal-bound shot from Dougie Freedman

Steve Thomson then had a low range effort deflected for a corner and after 22 minutes saw a long range shot go just wide.

It wasn't until the the 28th minute that Nowich had their first real effort on goal when Phil Mulryne saw his 18-yard shot go wide of Matt Clarke's goal. Gary Holt also went close for the home side with a 25-yard drive.

But Norwich were beginning to come back into the game and scored four minutes before half-time. Mulryne surged forward and his pass from the right was found by Nielsen who chipped Clarke.

Paul McVeigh got the second three minutes later, with a close-range header from Steen Nedergaard's cross. Norwich went in a at half-time undeservedly two goals up.

Palace came out for the second period all fired up and managed to get a goal back through Morrison in the 50th minute. Morrison managed to get onto a loose ball from Mackay's poor back header from Riihalahti's right wing cross and and lob Green in goal from the edge of the box.

The Eagles frantically searched for an equaliser. Riihilathi had a dipping 18-yard volley wide in the 57th minute and Green was on hand to save a shot from sub Julian Gray in the 75th minute.

Riihilahti had a shot bounce on the top of the crossbar, but Norwich held firm and got the three points which keeps their own play-off hopes very much alive.