Good afternoon and thank you for joining Sports Mole for live text commentary of the Premier League match between Norwich City and Fulham at Carrow Road.

It is a busy day of Premier League football, with all 20 teams in action, and we are at Carrow Road for what could prove to be a crucial match for each team's season.

TEAM NEWS: The starting lineups for both sides have been announced and I can bring them to you now.

NORWICH XI: Ruddy, Whittaker, Turner, Bassong, Olsson, Snodgrass, Fer, Johnson, Redmond, Elmander, Hooper

FULHAM XI: Stockdale, Riether, Hughes, Amorebieta, Richardson, Sidwell, Parker, Kasami, Duff, Taarabt, Kacaniklic

NORWICH SUBS: Bunn, Martin, Hoolahan, R Bennett, Murphy, Van Wolfswinkel, Becchio

FULHAM SUBS: Bettinelli, Riise, Boateng, Dejagah, Ruiz, Bent, Rodallega

Norwich go into the game in 14th place, and are six points ahead of the relegation zone. They have struggled for form in recent weeks and have drawn their last two outings against Swansea City and Sunderland.

Fulham are on an even worse run of form, having won just one game in their last 11. In their last two Premier League fixtures, they suffered heavy defeats, leaking four goals against both Everton and Manchester City.

The biggest problem for both these sides, has been their lack of goals. Norwich have scored 15 in their 17 games, while Fulham fare just slightly better, having found the back of the net 17 times.

Another damning statistic has been the defensive record of the teams. Fulham have the worst defence in the league, having shipped 34 goals, which equates to two goals per game, while Norwich have been breached 29 times.

The home team's top goalscorer this season has been Gary Hooper, who has netted 6 times. His most recent strike was a superb volley during their last home outing against Swansea City.

Fulham's most lethal frontman is missing today. Dimitar Berbatov has scored four times for the Cottagers but has been ruled out through injury. Darren Bent and Hugo Rodallega have struck three times apiece, and are both on the bench this afternoon.

There are some crucial matches being played around the country that these teams will be keeping a close eye on. Aston Villa's game with Crystal Palace and Sunderland's visit to Everton will be of particular interest.

UPDATE: In today's early Premier League kickoff, Manchester United have come from two goals down to beat Hull City 3-2 at the KC Stadium. An own-goal in the second half from James Chester settled the match and has moved United up to 6th in the table.

A stat that will please Fulham fans, is that they are unbeaten in their last 12 matches against Norwich. In addition, the joint-biggest win in their Premier League history was a 6-0 triumph against the Canaries in May 2005.

PREDICTION: I can't see this game being a classic, due to the lack of goals the two teams have scored this season. They will be both be desperate to claim a win that will move them further away from trouble, and it will be a real battle in the midfield department today. I think this game will finish in a draw, with 1-1 my prediction of the outcome.

Norwich are unbeaten in their last three league matches. It is their longest run without a defeat this season, which manager Chris Hughton will be keen to extend.

REFEREE: The match official this afternoon will be Jonathan Moss.

We are just five minutes from kickoff at Carrow Road with the fans still pouring into the ground.

The players are making their way out of the tunnel and it shouldn't be too long before the game gets started.

KICKOFF! We are underway at Carrow Road.

It has been a high tempo start from both teams, as they each look to gain some early possession.

CHANCE! Kasami has the first strike on goal, as he lets loose a powerful strike from 30 yards, but it is hit straight at Ruddy who holds on.

Norwich register their first shot of the match through Johnson, however his long range attempt is poorly struck and trickles wide of the goal.

Redmond works some space down the left hand side and whips in a teasing low cross, but the Fulham defence manage to scramble it clear.

Norwich will have a good chance to whip a free kick into the box after Snodgrass is brought down in the middle of the pitch.

Snodgrass plays the ball to the back post but it is easily cleared by Fulham.

The home side have taken the lead, but it's a cruel goal on Fulham. Hooper picks the ball up 25 yards out and strikes at goal, but it takes a massive deflection of Hughes and loops over Stockdale, giving the keeper no chance.

Elmander feels that he has been slipped through on goal, but the referee blows his whistle for a foul on Amorebieta. It seemed that both players were tugging at each other but the Fulham man wins the free kick.

Norwich are almost in for a second. The ball is slid in for Elmander who takes it past the onrushing Stockdale. The angle is too tight to shoot, so he tries to play it back across the box but the defence get back and clear.

Taarabt attempts a spectacular effort with the outside of his right foot, but his strike is well off target and fails to trouble Ruddy.

CHANCE! Huge opportunity for Hooper! Fulham give the ball away cheaply deep inside their own half and the ball breaks to Hooper, who attempts a fist-time strike on goal, but his shot goes just wide of the far post.

Fulham have a free kick on the edge of the box after a Kasamni is brought down. Richardson is over this and looks the favourite to hit it.

CHANCE! Richardson's strike takes a deflection of the top of the wall and loops just over the bar.

CHANCE! Fulham should be level! Kasami whips a great ball into the box, and Duff comes sliding in at the back post but puts his effort wide.

Norwich come forward at pace and Snodgrass looks like he's about to go through on goal, but Richardson pulls off a fantastic last-ditch tackle to win the ball and deny him.

GOAL DISALLOWED! Norwich have almost given away a bizarre goal! The ball is played back to Ruddy who is closed down quickly by Parker. His attempted clearance cannons off the midfielder and into the back of the net, but the goal is not given for a handball.

Fulham have levelled the scores! Kasami whips in a low free kick from 20 yards out that finds the bottom corner. Ruddy will feel that he should have done better, and the Norwich players in the wall have not covered themselves in glory but Fulham won't care!

Fulham have responded extremely well to the unfortunate way they fell behind early on. They have looked threatening in attack, and have closed their opponents down well.

Redmond picks up the ball on the right hand side and whips in a fantastic low ball, that goes right across the six-yard box, before heading out for a goal kick. One his teammates should have gambled there, as it was a perfect delivery.

CHANCE! After a scrappy passage of play, the ball breaks to Kasami just outside the box, but his attempt on goal goes just wide of the post.

We are going to have one minute of added time.

After an entertaining first half, it is 1-1 here at Carrow Road. Gary Hooper gave the hosts an early lead with a deflected effort, before Pajtim Kasami's free kick drew the visitors deservedly level.

A look at the half time stats shows that both teams have enjoyed good possession, with Norwich narrowly ahead on 52%. It is Fulham who have had the more attempts on goal, with seven strikes to Norwich's four. We have only seen three shots on target from both teams, with two of those resulting in goals.

Credit must given to the visitors who have fought their way back into the match after conceding such an unlucky goal. With the way things have been going for them recently, you could have understood the players feeling sorry themselves, but they improved and got their goal.

Norwich kickoff and get the second half started.

Stockdale is called into action early on, as Redmond delivers another decent low ball into the middle, with the keeper staying alert to come and claim.

YELLOW CARD! Turner is booked for a foul on Taarabt. That card means that he will miss the club's upcoming fixture with Manchester United.

Redmond bursts forward and works some space to strike from 25 yards out, with his powerful effort taking a deflection, before going out for a corner.

CHANCE! From the resulting set piece, Fer sees his thumping header cleared off the line brilliantly by Riether.

CHANCE! Taarabt comes close to scoring a wonderful goal for Fulham. He latches onto a long ball over the top, and attempts a first time volley, but he can't quite get enough power on the ball to direct it past Ruddy.

YELLOW CARD! Fer is booked for a tackle on behind by Taarabt, and Fulham will have a free kick in a dangerous position here.

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make a change, with Rodallega replacing Duff.

Kasami attempts to score the same free kick he netted in the first half, but this time his strike from slightly further out drifts wide of the post.

Norwich have a large spell of pressure on the Fulham goal and attempt a number of crosses, before Redmond attempts a low strike, that he scuffs into the keepers hands.

SUBSTITUTION: Van Wolfswinkel is on for Norwich, replacing Elamnder.

Redmond attempts a low free kick from the left hand side of the box, that takes a deflection before heading out for a corner.

CHANCE! Fer has another headed chance from a corner, but this time his effort is straight into Stockdale's hands.

Fulham waste a big chance, as Kacaniklic is slipped through and looks to square the ball across goal to Rodallega, but his pass is blocked by the defence.

SUBSTITUTION: Norwich make their second change of the afternoon, with Snodgrass going off and Hoolahan coming on.

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham also make a change, as Taarabt makes way for Dejagah.

CHANCE! Fulham break at pace and the ball is eventually worked to Sidwell on the edge of the box. He takes a touch before firing in an effort that is blocked behind by Bassong.

CHANCE! The visitors come agonizingly close to finding the bet. A corner is whipped to the back post, where Rodallega connects, but his attempt is cleared of the line.

Fulham are certainly looking the more likely to score now. Kasami delivers the ball to the back post where Riether heads it back across goal, but the home defence manage to scramble it clear.

Johnson lifts a delightful pass over the top that Hoolahan gets onto, but his first touch is poor and the ball dribbles out of play. If he had been on the field longer than maybe he would have been more alert, but that has to go down as a missed chance.

With just over five minutes left of this game, there is no sign of either team settling for a draw, as they continue to push forward in numbers.

Norwich get plenty of players forward and the ball is played to Olsson, who fancies his chances from range, but his final strike is poor and goes well wide.

Fulham may well have won it here! The ball is whipped into the box and headed out to Parker around 25 yards out from goal. He takes a touch, before firing in a brilliant strike that leaves Ruddy with no chance! Can they hold on to claim three vital points?

We are going to have four minutes of stoppage time.

SUBSTITUTION: Fulham make their final change, with Risse on for Kacaniklic.

Fer is at full stretch to connect with a long range free kick from Norwich, but he can't direct the ball goalwards and it drifts out of play.

Norwich will have a corner here in the fourth minute of injury time.

Fulham manage to get the ball clear and win a free kick for a foul. Surely they have done enough to win this match now.

What a huge win that could prove to be for Fulham! They left it late, but have come away with all three points at Carrow Road. The win still means they are in the relegation zone, but have moved above West Ham United into 18th position. They are now just three points away from Norwich in the table, and will take a huge amount of confidence from this afternoon's outcome.

That's all we've got time for here. Please stay with us at Sports Mole for the rest of the Boxing Day action, but from me, it's goodbye!