Crystal Palace’s Carabao Cup campaign is off to a flying start after a dominant 4-0 victory over Norwich City at Selhurst Park, marking their first win of the season. The Eagles, led by Oliver Glasner, put on a show with standout performances from Jean-Philippe Mateta and Daichi Kamada, who both found the back of the net and helped ease Palace into the third round.
Match Recap: A Flying Start
It didn’t take long for Palace to assert their dominance. Just two minutes into the game, Daichi Kamada, the new signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, opened his account with his first goal for the club. The Japanese international latched onto a perfectly weighted pass from Mateta, rounded Norwich goalkeeper George Long, and calmly slotted the ball into the empty net. This early strike set the tone for what was to come in a game that Palace controlled from start to finish.
Norwich, however, didn’t go down without a fight. The Canaries came close to equalizing when Gabriel Forsyth struck the post, and Palace had a scare when Eberechi Eze’s goal was disallowed. Despite these moments, Palace continued to press forward, and their persistence paid off.
Mateta’s Brilliance
Jean-Philippe Mateta was the star of the evening, putting in a performance that will have Palace fans buzzing. Eleven minutes into the second half, Mateta doubled Palace’s lead with an acrobatic overhead kick from a Kamada cross. It was a goal that showcased his athleticism and eye for the spectacular, leaving the Norwich defense stunned.
Mateta wasn’t done yet. Midway through the second half, he added a third goal for Palace, this time finishing off a precise delivery from Eze. The French striker’s confidence was evident as he celebrated with the Selhurst Park faithful, knowing that his contributions had all but sealed the win.
Eze’s Magic and Norwich’s Response
Eberechi Eze, who had a goal disallowed earlier, eventually got on the scoresheet with a brilliant solo effort. Picking up the ball deep in his own half, Eze embarked on a marauding run that saw him glide past several Norwich defenders before calmly finishing past George Long. It was a goal that epitomized Eze’s flair and technical ability, capping off a memorable night for the Eagles.
Norwich, to their credit, continued to push forward and created several chances. Ante Crnac and Marcelino Nunez both came close in the first half, and only a fantastic double save from Palace’s Dean Henderson prevented the Canaries from clawing their way back into the match. Henderson, who has been in fine form, first blocked Crnac’s shot with his right foot before denying Oscar Schwartau’s follow-up effort.
Injury Concerns and Transfer Rumors
The victory was not without its concerns for Palace, however. Early in the match, Chadi Riad was forced off with a knee injury while attempting to block a shot from Forsyth. Amankwah Forson also appeared to dislocate his shoulder in a challenge with Will Hughes. These injuries could pose problems for Glasner, who is already dealing with uncertainty surrounding key players like Marc Guéhi.
With the transfer window closing soon, speculation continues about Guéhi’s future at the club. Newcastle United is reportedly preparing a fifth bid for the England international, which could see Palace lose one of their defensive linchpins. Glasner, speaking after the match, expressed hope that Guéhi would remain at the club but acknowledged that the situation was out of his hands.
Meanwhile, Palace is closing in on the signing of Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal, a move that could provide further firepower up front. Nketiah’s arrival would increase competition for places in the attacking line, particularly for Mateta, who has already staked his claim as the team’s top striker.
Looking Ahead
Palace’s convincing win over Norwich will give them a much-needed boost as they prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Chelsea. With their first victory of the season under their belt, the Eagles will be looking to build momentum and climb the league table.
As for Norwich, the defeat highlighted some of the defensive frailties that have plagued them so far this season. Manager Johannes Hoff Thorup will need to regroup quickly if his side is to turn their fortunes around in the league.
FAQs
Jean-Philippe Mateta, Daichi Kamada, and Eberechi Eze were the standout players, each contributing to the goals and overall dominant performance.
Key moments included Kamada’s early goal, Mateta’s acrobatic second-half finish, and Eze’s solo goal. Dean Henderson’s double save also prevented Norwich from getting back into the game.
Chadi Riad suffered a knee injury, and Amankwah Forson appeared to dislocate his shoulder. Both injuries could impact Palace’s squad depth in the coming weeks.
Palace is reportedly close to signing Eddie Nketiah from Arsenal, while there is ongoing speculation about Marc Guéhi’s potential move to Newcastle United.
Palace will face Chelsea in their next Premier League match, where they’ll look to build on their Carabao Cup success.
Conclusion
Crystal Palace’s 4-0 victory over Norwich City in the Carabao Cup was a comprehensive performance that showcased their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. With standout displays from Mateta, Kamada, and Eze, Palace looks poised to make a deep run in the competition. However, injuries and potential transfer departures loom large, and how they navigate these challenges could define their season.
