Within seconds, Eze attempted the same from a Daniel Muñoz cross, although this time the effort was blocked.
As if just to remind Palace they were still in a game, Norwich forced Henderson into a brilliant double save on the counter. The first was an excellent save from Crnac after he shot across goal; the follow-up, springing to his right with the goal gaping to deny Oscar Schwartau, was equally impressive.
In truth, though, Palace were well in control, and Mateta found himself in the right place at the right time six moments later to smash home a third after being picked out by an Eze pull-back; the Eagles’ progression all but sealed.
That goal saw three Palace substitutions and one incoming player, Sarr, wasn’t far from celebrating his first goal for the club – but his lob, from Eze’s inventive pass, landed on the roof of the net.
For his invention alone, Eze deserved his first goal of the season – and appeared to have got it six minutes from time with the cutest of finishes, passing the ball into the bottom corner after dancing across five tackles on the edge of the area. The following week, after the referee’s report was filed and a review of match footage, the EFL awarded the goal to Sarr, who had got the faintest of touches on the ball on its way through.
A comfortable night in the end for Palace at Selhurst Park, off and running for 24/25.
Palace: Henderson (GK), Muñoz (Ward, 78), Clyne, Guéhi, Riad (Richards, 10), Mitchell, Doucouré (Wharton, 69), Hughes (Lerma, 69), Eze, Mateta, Kamada (Sarr, 69).
Subs: Johnstone (GK), Schlupp, Ahamada, Edouard.
Norwich: Long (GK), Fisher, Hanley, Córdoba, Chrisene (Doyle, 58), Nuñez, Gibbs, Forsyth (Schwartau, 58), Forson (McLean, 13), Hernández, Crnac (Sainz, 83).
Subs: Mair (GK), Stacey, Duffy, Sargent, Hills.
As It Happened