Premier League newcomers Norwich City were beaten 3-1 by Crystal Palace at Carrow Road this afternoon thanks to goals from Wilfried Zaha, Damien Delaney and Yohan Cabaye.
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The newly-promoted side started the game brightly, with Lewis Grabban agonisingly close to opening the scoring early on when he turned Steven Whittaker's cross onto the post.
Jordon Mutch and Glenn Murray threatened for the visitors as Alan Pardew's side fought their way back into the game, before Cabaye's free kick was saved by John Ruddy.
Ruddy was called into action again when he reacted well to keep Murray's shot from Joel Ward's knock down out, but there was nothing the Canaries goalkeeper could do to save the opener.
Jason Puncheon's teasing cross was met by Zaha at the back post, with the former Manchester United man finding the back of the net from close range just before the break.
Palace then started the second half in similar fashion as Delaney doubled their lead when he swept home Pape Ndiaye Souare's header from close range.
Norwich almost replied instantly when Bradley Johnson's header after Grabban's initial effort was kept out by Alex McCarthy.
Wes Hoolahan then picked out Whittaker, who cut inside and curled an effort into the arms of McCarthy as Alex Neil's side mounted a late fightback.
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It was substitute Nathan Redmond who reduced the deficit when he struck with a well-placed shot form 25 yards just 15 minutes after being introduced in place of Alexander Tettey.
Just two minutes later the Canaries thought that they were level when Cameron Jermone bundled the ball home, only for referee Simon Hooper to chalk the goal off for a high foot.
Scott Dann then hacked Whittaker's effort from Robbie Brady's cross off the line, before Sebastien Bassong thought that he should have had a penalty in added time when he took a tumble in the Palace box, but Hooper waved away the appeals.
Palace then broke and sealed all three points when Cabaye struck from close range.
Joe Sharratt
