'Game on' for Saturday says Nigel

Last updated : 10 August 2005 By Rick Lamb
Nigel Worthington reacted calmly to last night's draw with Crewe and looked forward to the weekend clash with surprisingly lowly Crystal Palace.

The Norwich manager saw his side smash in 19 efforts on goal from all angles but still only come away with a point. Indeed, they had to fight back from a goal down at half time after Crewe striker Luke Varney had given the Railwaymen the lead, firing home with his left foot from the edge of the area as the City defence went walkabout.

Robert Green produced the sort of international class save the Carrow Road faithful have become accustomed to, tipping over an early Varney header, and was called into action twice late on, but it was at the other end that most of the action took place.

Dean Ashton fired over, Dean Marney hit the post with a free kick, and Leon McKenzie fired against the top of the bar from all of three yards out. McKenzie eventually equalised for City but, despite several spells of sustained assault, they were unable to force the ball over the line.

Worthington, though, refused to panic and looked forward to their clash with fellow pre-season favourites Crystal Palace.

"I don't know if we're under any more pressure," said the Ulsterman, "but the situation is we haven't won either of the first two games. Palace have lost both of theirs, so it's game on this Saturday."

Palace and Norwich last met at Carrow Road on the opening day of last season. The Premiership clash finished all square after Andy Johnson equalised Darren Huckerby's strike. More recently, the sides shared six goals at Selhurst Park as they battled vainly against relegation. Johnson is likely to face a hostile reception at Norwich after he spent the majority of that match going down in the box, eventually winning the penalty he craved and duly tucking home the leveller.

Dean Ashton, meanwhile, will attempt to terrorise the Palace defence in the same way as he did on their last meeting. The big striker scored twice, including a spectacular second of the sort only seen in video games, slaloming through the home defence before rifling home.

The match marks another reunion with his former club for Leon McKenzie, who got his first goal of the season on Tuesday and looked dangerous throughout. Youssef Safri, who looked impressive as a substitute against Crewe, is sure to play more of a part.