Football: Canaries in flight up table

CHIRPY Canaries cemented their place in the top three but the win which ended Palace's long unbeaten run was anything but easy.

Norwich were under the cosh for long periods but their defence - marshalled superbly by Darren Kenton - held firm.

Norwich boss Nigel Worthington was delighted with the result - and seeing his side close the gap on second place Leicester: "It's up there with some of the best results we've had this season.

"We had to win the battle before winning the war and my players showed great attitude and tremendous patience.

"Palace have been on a terrific run and it was always going to be hard but our fitness levels were phenomenal.

"We scored two cracking goals and let's not forget the fact we kept a clean sheet - that's important too."

Paul McVeigh opened the scoring after just nine minutes but it wasn't until Iwan Roberts claimed the second - four minutes from time - that the points were safe.

Norwich took the lead after nine minutes following a mix-up between Kit Symons and Darren Powell.

The Palace defenders hesitated and when Roberts poked the ball through to McVeigh the City wide man calmly registered his 11th goal of the season.

Julian Gray curled a shot wide for the visitors after 15 minutes and Andrew Johnson almost recorded his 11th goal in the last seven games moments later.

Norwich should have scored again on the counter attack but David Nielsen - having been put clean through - stumbled over his own feet and the chance went begging.

Roberts, who last week became the club's third highest goal- scorer, almost made it his 86th goal for City but his header flashed wide.

Johnson almost capitalised on a moment of indecision by Steen Nedergaard but his attempted overhead kick was easily collected by Norwich keeper Robert Green.

Kenton went close with a 25-yard screamer after an hour and Phil Mulryne did likewise with a curling free-kick as Norwich found another gear.

But for all their pressure and possession Palace never really tested Green. As the game wore on Palace began to run out of attacking ideas and Norwich looked more comfortable.

Canary fans' favourite and veteran striker Roberts wrapped up the points in the 86th minute.

Another piece of sloppy Palace defending was punished by the big Welshman who claimed his 86th Norwich goal with a typically cool finish.

MAN OF THE MATCH DARREN KENTON

Another impeccable display

NORWICH: Green 6, Nedergaard 6, Drury 7, KENTON 8, Fleming 4 (Mackay 6), Holt 6, Mulryne 6, Rivers 6, Nielsen 6, Roberts 5, McVeigh 7.

CRYSTAL PALACE: Michopoulos 6, Derry 6, Granville 6, Powell 6, Symons 6, Butterfield 6, Black 6 (Williams 5), Thomson 7, Adebola 6, Johnson 7, Gray 6.

MANAGER RATINGS: Worthington 7; Francis 6.

REFEREE: E Wolstenholme 6.

NORWICH PALACE

6 Shots on target 2

7 Shots off target 11

0 Shots blocked 1

6 Corners 10

14 Fouls conceded 18

4 Offsides 1

2 Yellow cards 2

0 Red cards 0

ATTENDANCE: 20,907

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