Crystal Palace 1 Norwich 1
Norwich midfielder Leroy Fer was sent off for a second bookable offence with seven minutes to go, but Chris Hughton argued Chamakh should have seen red earlier for grabbing Wes Hoolahan’s throat when Norwich were 1-0 up.
The Moroccan’s reaction to Hoolahan’s initial challenge and push was over the top and unnecessary, but referee Mike Dean opted to book both players rather than reduce Palace to 10 men.
Tied: Jason Puncheon (centre) levels the score at 1-1 from the penalty spot for Crystal Palace against Norwich
Match facts
Crystal Palace (4-4-1-1):
Speroni 6, Mariappa 6, Gabbidon 5, Delaney 6, Ward 7; Puncheon 7,
Dikgacoi 5 (Parr 45’ - 5), Jedinak (c) 7, Bolasie 6 (Williams 79’);
Chamakh 5; Jerome 5 (Gayle 62’ - 6).
Subs: Price, Moxey, Bannan, Phillips.
Bookings: Dikgacoi, Chamakh
Manager: Tony Pulis 7
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Ruddy 6, Whittaker 6, Turner 6 (Bennett 54’ - 6), Bassong 6, Olsson 6; Fer 4, Johnson 7; Snodgrass 6, Hoolahan 6 (Elmander 69’ - 6), Redmond 6; Hooper 6 (Martin 86’).
Subs: Bunn, Murphy, Becchio, Van Wolfswinkel.
Bookings: Hoolahan, Fer
Red card: Fer
Manager: Chris Hughton 7
Ref: Mike Dean 8
MOTM: Puncheon
Att: 25,189
*Player ratings by LAURA WILLIAMSON at Selhurst Park
Subs: Price, Moxey, Bannan, Phillips.
Bookings: Dikgacoi, Chamakh
Manager: Tony Pulis 7
Norwich City (4-2-3-1): Ruddy 6, Whittaker 6, Turner 6 (Bennett 54’ - 6), Bassong 6, Olsson 6; Fer 4, Johnson 7; Snodgrass 6, Hoolahan 6 (Elmander 69’ - 6), Redmond 6; Hooper 6 (Martin 86’).
Subs: Bunn, Murphy, Becchio, Van Wolfswinkel.
Bookings: Hoolahan, Fer
Red card: Fer
Manager: Chris Hughton 7
Ref: Mike Dean 8
MOTM: Puncheon
Att: 25,189
*Player ratings by LAURA WILLIAMSON at Selhurst Park
Palace boss Tony Pulis said he did not see the incident but Hughton said: ‘Certainly Chamakh should have been off the pitch. The referee had a very good view of it and, to the letter of the law as I know it, if someone raises a hand it’s a sending off.’
Two sides battling relegation were never going to serve up a New Year’s Day feast of football - particularly after three pre-match pitch inspections - but the incessant rain ruined this match as a spectacle.
Even Palace’s resident eagle, Kayla, did not fancy it, opting to stay firmly perched on the crossbar rather than fly around the pitch before kick-off.
Pulis, though, spent the entire match standing in his technical area and declared afterwards he ‘played in worse conditions’ and we are ‘spoilt’ by the pristine condition of most Premier League pitches.
His side displayed some of the same defiance and created numerous chances, yet failed to convert any from open play. That, however, has been the story of their season so far.
Puncheon set the trend by completely miscuing an eighth-minute shot before Mile Jedinak sent a free-kick over the bar. Cameron Jerome missed a wonderful chance as Norwich goalkeeper John Ruddy hit his head on the far post in the slippery conditions.
Level: Puncheon (right) wheels away to celebrate with Marouane Chamakh after scoring his penalty
Strength: Puncheon (centre) holds off the challenge of Robert Snodgrass (left) and Martin Olsson
Opener: Bradley Johnson gave Norwich the lead in the 39th minute with a sweet strike
NEW YEAR'S WISHES
Crystal Palace: More goals. Palace have scored just 13 times in 20 Premier League matches –comfortably the fewest in the division.
Norwich: To start seeing a return on their £8.5million record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The striker has had a toe injury but has scored just once in 11 Premier League appearances.
Norwich: To start seeing a return on their £8.5million record signing Ricky van Wolfswinkel. The striker has had a toe injury but has scored just once in 11 Premier League appearances.
Norwich’s chances had been limited to a Sebastien Bassong header until Hoolahan nicked the ball from Danny Gabbidon to create Norwich’s 39th-minute opener. The Irishman fed Gary Hooper, who teed up Johnson to score his second goal of the season.
Norwich’s lead lasted just five minutes, however. Fer pushed Jedinak over in the penalty box, earning him his first booking, and Puncheon converted the resulting spot-kick just before half-time. Fer was then sent off for another challenge on Jedinak with seven minutes to go.
Hughton praised his side’s resilience in ‘tough conditions against a direct team’, but Jerome and Puncheon both wasted good opportunities to turn one point into three for Palace in the second half.
Damp: Snodgrass (left) and Joel Ward get to grips with each other during the Premier League clash
Team work: Norwich's opening goal saw some neat build-up play before Johnson finished the move
Support: Tony Pulis applauds the Palace fans as he walks to his dug out before kick-off
SPORTSMAIL'S SUPER STAT
Only
four teams in Premier League history have scored fewer goals in their
first half of the season than Crystal Palace, who managed just 12 in
their first 19 matches back in the top flight.
The draw also saw Pulis’ side slip into the relegation zone - not that it particularly bothers the Palace manager.
‘The end of the season is when it counts,’ said Pulis, ‘not at Christmas or New Year. The transfer window opens so it gives you an opportunity to wheel and deal.
‘The next few weeks are very big for this football club. We need to bring a couple of players in and, if we can do that, it will help us with our task, which is a tough task.’
Tempers: Palace and Norwich players come together during their team's 1-1 draw
Foul? Snodgrass (left) tackles Yannick Bolasie from behind during the game between Palace and Norwich
Penalised: Mile Jedinak (No 15) goes down in the box for a penalty which was converted by Puncheon
Tough: Adrian Mariappa (left) and Nathan Redmond challenge for the ball during the Premier League clash
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