Shefki Kuqi scores Palace's winner

Crystal Palace got back to winning ways at Carrow Road, as a stoppage time strike from Shefki Kuqi sealed a single goal victory over Norwich City.

The £2.5 million deadline day signing netted his first goal for the club after coming on as a second half substitute, as Palace put seams of pressure on the home side in the final stages of the game.

It had previously been a tight game in the first 45 minutes, but Palace created the better chances throughout the contest and were certainly the better of the two teams in the second half.

Palace started out with numerous changes to the side which began the game against Southampton in midweek, with Darren Ward drafted into defence to partner Leon Cort, whilst Danny Butterfield returned at right-back with Matt Lawrence taking up a midfield slot alongside Mark Kennedy and Clinton Morrison was given a start up front.

There was a greater sense of organisation about the Eagles from the off, as they soaked up some early Norwich pressure and forced the home side into long range efforts and hopeful crosses into the area.

At the other end, Morrison almost latched on to a couple of through balls as Palace looked to counter attack but on the occasion he did manage to get a shot in, his effort was blocked in the 31st minute.

Hughes had a great chance in the 36th minute to give Palace the lead. The move started when Lawrence made a great block in the area to stop Lee Croft's cross before Butterfield cleared upfield. James Scowcroft flicked on for Morrison and his clever reverse pass saw the skipper sent clear on goal, only for City keeper Paul Gallacher to touch his shot wide of the post and that wouldn't be the first time he would deny the Eagles.

Norwich had a half chance soon after, when Dickson Etuhu picked out Rob Earnshaw in the area but he placed his shot well wide of the target just before the break.

Shortly after the re-start, City had a half chance when Croft's cross from the right found Gary Doherty at the back post but the big defender put his header over the bar.

Palace had the ball in the net after 58 minutes, when Cort headed Borrowdale's cross towards goal. Gallacher made a one handed save but only parried it as far as Morrison who knocked the ball over the line and into the net. However, the referee chose to rule the goal out after the ball appeared to come off Morrison's arm.

Morrison then came even closer to netting when Cort headed down Kennedy's corner. It was blocked on the line by Patrick Boyle and Morrison just couldn't force it over the line in a crowded area.

Palace were having their best spell of the game and Morrison's neat pass found Butterfield in space on the right. He delivered a low centre and Scowcroft stretched a foot out but could only guide it wide.

Scowcroft then forced a desperate clearance off the Norwich line by Jurgen Colin, after planting a header on goal from another swirling corner from Kennedy, who was by now wearing the captain's armband following Hughes' substitution.

Another breakaway in the 80th minute saw Kennedy slide a fine pass across the pitch for Jobi McAnuff. He took the ball on in his stride and hit the target, only for Gallacher to race out and make a good save.

With four minutes of added time, Palace sensed victory though and they took it. Yet another precise corner was played into the box by Kennedy and Kuqi headed firmly downwards and into the roof of the net to give the Eagles the lead they had threatened throughout the second half.

Norwich tried to hit back and forced a scramble and corner immediately after, but Palace weren't going to be denied their second away win of the season.

Norwich: Gallacher, Shackell, Croft (Hughes, 85) Earnshaw, Safri, Boyle, McVeigh (Jarvis, 88) Etuhu, Colin, Doherty, Robinson (Thorne, 79). Subs not used: Camp, Fleming.

Palace: Kiraly, Lawrence, Ward, Cort, McAnuff, Scowcroft, Morrison (Kuqi, 73) Kennedy, Hughes (Green, 69) Borrowdale, Butterfield. Subs not used: Speroni, Granville, Freedman.

Bookings: James Scowcroft (59 minutes), Mark Kennedy (60 minutes), Youssef Safri (60 minutes)