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Norwich 1 Crystal Palace 1: Zaha scores screamer and misses shocking penalty as Eagles held by resurgent Canaries

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WILFRIED ZAHA went from the sublime to the ridiculous in a matter of minutes as he followed up his wonder goal with a spectacularly-poor penalty.

Teemu Pukki had netted the fastest Premier League goal of the season to give Norwich the lead inside 39 SECONDS.

Norwich striker Teemu Pukki wheels away in celebration after putting Norwich ahead after just 39 secondsCredit: Getty
Pukki tries to double the Norwich lead but Mitchell makes a last-ditch tackleCredit: Rex

But Zaha curled home a delightful equaliser on the hour, which he celebrated by hugging boss Patrick Vieira, who pre-match had urged his talisman to be more of a team player.

Zaha had the chance to take all three points for his team two minutes later when Tyrick Mitchell was taken out in the box running on to the Ivorian’s pass.

Yet Zaha then struck possibly the worst spot-kick of the campaign, appearing to slip as he hit the ball which lamely dribbled four yards wide of Angus Gunn’s right post.

It was a strange turn of events which will have left Norwich boss Dean Smith wondering how to feel, having seen his side blow the chance to jump out the relegation zone but having also avoided defeat.

Positivity had been coursing around Carrow Road ahead of kick-off after three straight wins in all competitions for his side.

And the stadium was bouncing when Pukki’s early strike gave Norwich a dream start.

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Milot Rashica had to take much of the credit as the Kosovan left Joel Ward trailing in his wake with a blistering run down the left before firing in a low cross.

That made it to Adam Idah, who tapped it back for Pukki to drive into the ground, on to the inside of the post and in.

Palace threatened to hit back through Jean-Philippe Mateta whose shot was well saved by Angus Gunn.

But in truth Patrick Vieira’s side would have found themselves further behind were it not for two interventions from quick-thinking full-back Mitchell.

Both chances saw Rashica and Pukki link up again.

The first saw the former whip in a pinpoint cross which Pukki was ready to nod home, only for Mitchell to get in front and flick out for a corner.

Then Rashica left Ward for dead again as he powered towards the Palace box and squared for Pukki.

You would think the Finn would be high on confidence after his early goal, which was his sixth in the league this season, but he dilly-dallied and again Mitchell came to the rescue.

Wilfried Zaha hits a screamer early in the second half to level the scoreCredit: Rex
Zaha slips and puts the crucial penalty wide of the postCredit: PA

Rashica remained Norwich’s chief threat as he powered a shot just wide from 25 yards after the break, before Gunn kept his right hand strong to beat away a Jeffrey Schlupp blast.

From then on, it was the Zaha show.

The 29-year-old collected a crossfield ball around the left corner of the box and unleashed a brilliant strike into the far corner which gave Gunn no chance.

Zaha raced over to Vieira, who had his arms aloft in celebration, punched the air and firmly embraced his manager.

But the joyous scenes soon turned sour when Palace’s hero fired wide a pathetic spot-kick, which he had helped win by teeing up Mitchell who was floored by Max Aarons.

Zaha pointed desperately at the spot, as if to claim some sort of foul play after seemingly losing his footing, but he knew there was no one to blame but himself for the weak attempt.

The result will be seen as a missed opportunity for both sides – but also a point that maintains their momentum for their individual targets.

Smith’s side are now unbeaten in three league games and just a point from safety.

While Palace maintain the eight-point gap to the drop zone to keep any possible danger at arm’s length.

Palace dominated the second half but could not break down the Canaries defenceCredit: Reuters

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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