Four takeaways from Crystal Palace’s 3-0 win against Norwich City – Rampant first half sees fringe players take their chance

First-half goals from Odsonne Edouard, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp handed Crystal Palace all three points against bottom of the table Norwich City yesterday.

The Eagles made four changes to the side that lost 3-0 to Tottenham Hotspur – Vicente Guaita, Marc Guehi, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jeffrey Schlupp replaced Jack Butland, James Tomkins, Wilfried Zaha and Conor Gallagher.

Here are Edmund Brack’s four takeaways from Selhurst Park:

FRINGE PLAYERS TAKE THEIR CHANCE AS RAMPANT FIRST 45 BRUSHES AWAY THE NERVES

It only took Odsonne Edouard eight minutes to open the scoring on Tuesday.

After Norwich looked to bounce back from their 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal only 48 hours prior to kick off, a needless challenge on Will Hughes inside the area gave Palace the perfect opportunity to take the early lead.

Edouard scored his fourth goal, and first since the 2-2 draw away at Arsenal on October 18, with a coolly taken penalty past Angus Gunn.

Palace looked in full control from that moment. With Hughes setting the tone with his crunching tackles and Edouard and Tyrick Mitchell combining well down the left hand side, it was only a matter of time before their lead was doubled.

Jean-Phillipe Mateta eventually added breathing space when he turned Edouard’s cross past Gunn for his first goal at Selhurst Park since signing for the club in January.

Schlupp killed the game off in the 42nd minute when he flashed an emphatic strike past Gunn from a tight angle.

Mateta grew into the game and eventually showed a presence up top to act as a focal point, and Schlupp was a constant threat all afternoon with his darting runs and driving expertise carrying the Eagles towards goal.

It was a comfortable and efficient victory.

WILL HUGHES’ CONSISTENCY IS OUTSTANDING

James McArthur’s absence was glaringly obvious after the Scottish midfielder was sidelined through his hamstring injury. However, Will Hughes’ introduction has allowed Palace to find a rhythm and balance once again in the middle.

The 26-year-old made three key passes, produced two accurate crosses, won six ground battles and blocked two shots during the 90 minutes on Tuesday.

The game slows down when the English midfielder has the ball at his feet. He controls and sets the tempo for Palace, and his calmness when in possession helps the Eagles when they’re under pressure from the opposition.

While many didn’t see Hughes’ signing as one of the blockbuster moves from the summer, he is becoming increasingly integral to the side as each game passes.

EDOUARD THRIVES OUT WIDE

Edouard’s directness and ability to drive towards goal from a wide position is a deadly tool in helping Crystal Palace’s chances of scoring goals in the Premier League.

The French forward’s movement and quick link up play to deceive the Norwich defence allowed Palace to kill the game off in the first half.

Edouard had 13 touches in the opposition box, completed the most dribbles (five), accomplished three take-ons and created three chances for Palace.

It was his best performance in a Palace shirt, and he was consistently brilliant right up until the last second.

THERE’S MORE TO COME FROM THIS PALACE SIDE

Palace are on 23 points at the midway point of the Premier League campaign and it wouldn’t be unfair to suggest that they have more to show. They have produced convincing displays against sides below them in the table to show that they should not classed as relegation-fodder this season. But, they are lacking the consistency which they had in abundance earlier in the season.

This is Palace’s best Premier League squad – the depth and options available are a stark contrast to anything Roy Hodgson had to contend with during his four seasons in charge at Selhurst Park.

With key players jetting off to Cameroon for the Africa Cup of Nations – Jordan Ayew, Cheikou Kouyate and Wilfried Zaha – it’s going to hand Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and even Luka Milivojevic the opportunity to claim a starting role in the side.

If Palace can cope with the loss of their long-time talisman Zaha, and come to the end of January still within touching distance of a European spot, then there is no reason why they can’t push on for the second half of the season and record their highest Premier League finish in the club’s history.

With Edouard finding form in front of goal, Hughes dominating midfield battles and Guehi and Andersen back together, Palace can start to find reliability in their performances.

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD