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.

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.