Crystal Palace Crush Norwich 4-0 to Advance in Carabao Cup
Crystal Palace’s first victory of the season is secured by a double from Jean-Philippe Mateta, a goal from new acquisition Daichi Kamada in his debut, and a late goal from Eberechi Eze following an earlier effort that was disallowed.
In the Carabao Cup second round, Crystal Palace defeated Norwich City 4-0 to record their first victory of the year at Selhurst Park. Jean-Philippe Mateta, who scored twice in the game, and new signing Daichi Kamada, who started his account with a goal in the first minute, both put on outstanding performances.
For his first goal in an Eagles uniform, Daichi Kamada scored within the first two minutes in south London. He then provided an assist for Mateta’s second goal after the break.
The silver medallist from the Paris Olympics executed a stunning bicycle kick, and 11 minutes later, he finished his double with a strong effort. With six minutes remaining in round three, Eberechi Eze added one of his own, and the hosts were all but guaranteed a spot.
Oliver Glasner, the Palace manager, picked a solid starting lineup that included center-back Marc Guehi, who may have come as a surprise to some. The England defender is now cup-tied should he leave before the transfer window closes after he was linked to a move to Newcastle prior to Friday’s transfer deadline.
In the meantime, seven changes were made by Johannes Hoff Thorup following Norwich’s draw with Sheffield United.
When Mateta slipped the ball to summer signing Kamada, who dutifully tapped it past George Long in the second minute, the hosts took an early lead. The fact that Dean Henderson initially denied Ante Crnac and then Gabriel Forsyth’s attempt went off the post cost Norwich dearly.
Chadi Riad, a summer acquisition for Palace, was substituted out after only ten minutes, a concerning development for Glasner, who was already shorthanded in defense after Joachim Andersen’s exit on Friday.
The Morocco international had only made two starts for the Eagles when he walked off with what appeared to be a knee injury, being replaced by Chris Richards.
Three minutes later, Canaries manager Thorup was compelled to make a move of his own. Amankwah Forson went down in midfield and required air while receiving treatment on the field for a while. He then left the game in significant discomfort, utilizing his shirt as a makeshift sling, and appeared to have injured his shoulder.
In the eighteenth minute, Eze had the ball in the net, but the offside flag had already gone up. Before the half, Marcelino Nunez had an opportunity to tie the score but missed his attempt from the edge of the box in the 38th minute, and Eze also had an offside attempt just before the interval.
The substitute for Forson Soon after the restart, Kenny McLean did a good job of blocking Eze’s free kick, but Mateta’s overhead attempt in the 57th minute gave the Eagles a two-goal advantage.
Henderson made two outstanding saves in quick succession, first stopping a shot from Oscar Schwartau of Norwich and then stopping a rebound attempt from McLean.
Mateta scored his second goal in the 68th minute with a strong strike that appeared to have grazed Long.
The home and away fans amused themselves by trading “we’ve got the ball” cries until Eze made it four with a sloppy play in the 84th minute, just as it appeared that the Frenchman had sealed the score.
