After 14 games Crystal Palace finally secured a 2016 win after defeating Norwich City at Selhurst Park last night.
A goal from Jason Puncheon, his first of the season, was all that separated the sides. The winger cut in from the left and took on a the shot on from 20-yards out after being played in by Joel Ward.
Overall, that was one of the few clear cut chances created in a tense game between two sides that are looking to escape the relegation battle. Not only did Palace get their first win of the year, but it was also their first clean sheet in 12 league games and the result moved them 10 points clear of 18th placed Sunderland.
The Eagles will be looking to try and continue this form through a midweek game against Everton at Selhurst, while Norwich also return home to play Sunderland.
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Crystal Palace
Wayne Hennessey – 6: Had some shaky moments in the first-half, however, put those behind him to secure the clean sheet.
Joel Ward – 6: Was solid in defence and provided the through ball for Puncheon’s winner.
Damien Delaney – 7: Did not allow Dieumerci Mbokani to get any space and also displayed good tackling which prevented shots.
Scott Dann – 6: Made some key blocks to prevent shots finding their way on target.
Pape Souare – 8: Quite possibly his best performance of the season, getting across well to shut down chances for the Canaries.
Yohan Cabaye – 6: A better show from the midfielder, but still a bit disappointing in terms of distribution. At times gave up the ball to easily.
Mile Jedinak – 6: Was key in the midfield, working hard to get back and offering assistance to the central-defenders.
Yannick Bolasie – 7: Much of the promising attack came from down his side of the field, providing some dangerous crosses that were not capitalised on.
Jason Puncheon – 7: Scored his first goal in 26 Premier League games, which finally saw his team get a win in 2016.
Bakary Sako – 5: Was not in the position that he should have been to take advantage of the Bolasie crosses on a number of occasions.
Dwight Gayle – 5: Was unable to make any real impact on the game before being substituted in the second-half.
Substitutes
Wilfried Zaha – 6: Had some good chances in the time he was on the field, but was unable to convert.
Joe Ledley – 5: Had no real impact on the game after replacing Puncheon
Connor Wickham – 5: Saw one chance late on, yet he was unable to get the shot on target.
Norwich City
John Ruddy – 5: Apart from conceding the Puncheon goal he was solid, making some saves that prevented the score from getting worse.
Andre Wisdom – 5: Made a couple of mistakes that almost let Palace have easy opportunities.
Ryan Bennett – 6: Made some good tackles to prevent Gayle from getting in behind.
Timm Klose – 5: Had to be replaced after hyper-extending his knee, but was looking decent in defence beforehand.
Martin Olsson – 4: Had a tough time trying to keep Bolasie in control before he was given a reprieve when Bolasie switched sides.
Matthew Jarvis – 6: Was the most dangerous player going forward for the Canneries, providing passes for Steven Naismith and Mbokani.
Jonny Howson – 4: Was lucky a couple of times not to be booked and was fairly ineffective in attack, as well only taking shots from well outside the box.
Gary O’Neil – 5: Put in a couple of crosses that put Hennessey under some real pressure in the first-half, but seemingly faded out in the latter stages.
Robbie Brady – 6: Made some decent runs, though once he got into a shooting position he was unable to make any real threatening attempt on goal.
Steven Naismith – 4: Had a quiet game, unable to get any real shots on goal, or provide for Mbokani either before being substituted,
Dieumerci Mbokani – 5: Was kept under control by the Palace central-defenders and had little service to work with.
Substitutes
Sebastien Bassong – 6: Came out on top of a contest with Wickham that would have seen the Eagles striker get though on goal.
Patrick Bamford – 5: The former Palace loanee did not have the impact that was needed in the game.
Nathan Redmond – 5: Had very little impact on the game.
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