Half-Time Report: Gary Hooper on target as Norwich City lead Crystal Palace

Norwich City's Gary Hooper scored the only goal of the first half as the Canaries play host to fellow Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.

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 stopper 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.