Crystal Palace lost their first match of pre-season tonight as Norwich City recorded a 1-0 win at Selhurst Park.

Simon Whaley’s second-half strike was enough to end Palace’s unbeaten run in a match where the Eagles struggled to make any chances.

There were also worrying scenes in the second half when Michael Nelson had to be stretchered from the field in a neck brace following a mid-air collision with Jose Fonte.

Palace played a 4-3-3 with Alan Lee flanked by Victor Moses and Freddie Sears upfront but created just the one chance in the first half when Sears could only shoot over from Nick Carle’s pass.

At the other end Wes Hoolahan hit the post direct from a corner and curled a left-footed shot wide.

After the break Clint Hill had a header cleared off the line by Gary Doherty before the Canaries took the lead.

Gary Holt twisted his way past Paddy McCarthy and laid the ball back for the unmarked Whaley to side foot home.

Sears came close to levelling a minute later but Michael Theoklitos pushed his 20-yard effort around the post.

Chris Bright came close to adding a second for Norwich late on but his close range shoot deflected off Matt Lawrence and looped over.

There was another appearance for trialist Stefan Cox from Lewes late on and Fonte played the last 20 minutes upfront after Lee went off.

Crystal Palace: Julian Speroni, Nathanial Clyne (Danny Butterfield, 70), Paddy McCarthy, Jose Fonte, Clint Hill (Stefan Cox, 85), Shaun Derry (Alessane N’Diaye, 90), Neil Danns, Nick Carle (Lee Hills, 70), Victor Moses (Sean Scannell, h-t), Alan Lee (Matt Lawrence, 70), Freddie Sears.

Norwich City: Michael Theoklitos, Michael Spillane, Gary Doherty, Adam Drury (Paul McVeigh, 79) Matthew Gill, Michael Nelson (Chris Bright, 81) Wes Hoolahan, Owain Tudor-Jones (Tom Adeyemi, 85), Simon Whalley (Dario Dumic, 87), Grant Holt (Simon Lappin, 69), Chris Martin.