Gary Hooper scored the only goal of the game as Norwich City defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 in this afternoon's Premier League relegation scrap.

There were half-chances for both sides in the opening stages, with Sebastien Bassong heading wide for the visitors and Kagisho Dikgacoi failing to test John Ruddy at the other end with a tame effort.

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Norwich came within inches of taking the lead in the ninth minute when Leroy Fer gave his marker the slip and crashed a shot off the crossbar.

The hosts threatened again just two minutes later as Nathan Redmond found himself in space and tested Palace keeper Julian Speroni with a vicious drive that the Argentine could only tip behind.

Norwich's pressure paid off just before the half-hour mark when Hooper put them in front following unselfish play from Johan Elmander inside the box.

Palace almost hit back immediately as a Barry Bannan effort came back off the bar moments after play had restarted, but the Eagles were unable to find an equaliser before the break.

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Norwich missed a golden opportunity to extend their lead four minutes into the second half when the ball fell kindly for Redmond following a counter-attack, but the winger blazed his shot into the stand.

The Eagles' best chance of the second period came seven minutes from time as Jimmy Kebe hit a volley from the edge of the box, which skimmed the post on its way behind.

There was still time for Cameron Jerome to fire wide from close range in the dying stages, but Palace were unable to salvage anything from Tony Pulis's first game in charge.