CHRIS Hughton says failing to hold onto the lead provided by Bradley Johnson until half-time was the turning point in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

Johnson fired a shot in off the post to edge the Canaries in front but the hosts equalised just five minutes later when Jason Puncheon dispatched a penalty after a push on Mile Jedinak by Leroy Fer.

“Having taken the lead, you want to go in at half-time having secured that lead, so it was disappointing how it went,” said Hughton when speaking to canaries.co.uk after the final whistle.

“At the break I was really disappointed that we weren’t in front. It wasn’t a great performance but certainly if there a team in that first half who looked like they could carve something from general play, then it would have been us.

“I think the way that it went having lost Michael Turner and having Leroy Fer sent off, and with the way that they play – a very direct style in these conditions – then in the end I was pleased with the draw.”

Moments before Palace equalised, striker Marouane Chamakh appeared to push City midfielder Wes Hoolahan in the face and Hughton was disappointed the Moroccan’s punishment didn’t amount to more than a yellow card.

“He should have been sent off, there is no doubt about it. The letter of the law says that if you put your hand to somebody’s face, that’s a sending off offence so he should have gone.

“When I spoke to the referee, he said that he didn’t feel the push was in his face. We’re a little bit aggrieved on that one, because at that stage of the game it certainly would have been an advantage for us.”

On Michael Turner limping off with an injury, City’s boss added: ““I don’t know yet in all honesty. I haven’t spoken to the physio after the game, but it was bad enough for him to come off. We’ll find out more about that one tomorrow.”

MANAGER REACTS TO DRAW

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