Norwich City 1-1 Crystal Palace

[Huckerbys right foot]

Andrew Johnson's well-taken equaliser earned Crystal Palace a draw in the battle of the Premiership new boys.

Wayne Routledge's clever threaded pass opened up the Norwich defence and Johnson placed the ball past Green.

Darren Huckerby had given Norwich the lead with a brilliantly-struck strike across Palace keeper Julian Speroni.

Robert Green made a brilliant block to deny Palace striker Sandor Torghelle while the superb Huckerby forced a good save from Speroni late on.

The match started with a real competitive edge as both teams looked to mark their return to the top flight with a win.

Palace debutant Sandor Torghelle - one of five in the Eagles side - almost gave Iain Dowie's team a dream start.

But after picking the ball up to the right of the Norwich goal, the Hungaria international drilled his shot wide from a tight angle.

Norwich offered little before the pace and determination of Huckerby - combined with a blistering finish - put the home team in front.

Huckerby made contact with Palace defender Mark Hudson as they both pursued Svensson's long ball over the top.

But referee Peter Walton waved play on after Hudson went to ground, leaving Huckerby with a run at goal.

Simon Charlton had another good chance for the Canaries after 30 minutes but he could not keep his half-volley down from 14 yards.

Palace played purposeful football throughout the match and although they created few clear openings they almost equalised shortly after the resumption.

Torghelle appeared to barge Charlton off the ball but again Walton allowed play to continue and it took a superb block from Green to thwart the Palace striker from short range.

But it was Huckerby, full of running despite the hot weather, who was the outstanding player on the pitch.

His tricky running down the left created a shooting chance and Speroni made a good save to deny him after 62 minutes.

Shortly afterwards Speroni saved again, denying David Bentley from long range.

Palace continued to play neat attacking football through the middle of the park and eventually found a way through the Norwich defence.

Routledge's dinked pass through the Canaries was superbly controlled by Johnson, who swivelled and put the ball beyond Green with his second touch.

Huckerby might have snatched a winner for the home team with minutes left after sending a curling half-volley goalwards but Speroni was equal to the task.

And seconds before the final whistle Green had to be at his best to stop Johnson's blistering strike.



Source: BBC Sport



i'd rather have a win but still we get a all important point!

bring on a weakened Man Utd!

Its a start mate, a point more towards your goal of survival....Id laugh if you win next week against that cack hole team, what they called, Manchester something, the ones who used to be something

[Budgiebasher]

cracking goal by huckerby, now comes the real test, any win over the next 4 or 5 games would be an excellent result

Yeah well the next two games are solid, if they get one point, then that is good