Townsend Hopes Norwich Goal Is Just The Start

Andros Townsend says he has no complaints at not being a Crystal Palace regular so far this season but hopes his goal against Norwich kick-starts his campaign. Townsend has started just three of the Eagles’ seven Premier League games this season but came off the bench to score the second goal in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Norwich at Selhurst Park.

The win was Palace’s third of the season as they sit ninth in the table with 11 points from seven games.
The 28-year-old was in Roy Hodgson’s line-up for the first two games of the campaign, against Everton and Sheffield United, but failed to make much impact and was reduced to a late substitute role in the victory over Manchester United that followed.

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He also only made a brief appearance in the win over Aston Villa before starting the 4-0 hammering at Tottenham earlier this month, only to be back on the bench against Wolves and then on Saturday.

The former Newcastle man admits he cannot dispute Hodgson’s decision not to start him more often but wants to use his goal against the Canaries as a platform to build on as he looks for more minutes and goals in the weeks and months ahead.

He told the Evening Standard: “I started the first two games and we scored no goals so as an attacking player you can’t have any arguments when the manager does rotate. You just have to be ready for your next opportunity. “I got 25 minutes on Saturday and scored a goal so hopefully I can build from there and get a couple more in the coming games.”

Townsend, who has been with Palace since summer 2016 and has now racked up 131 appearances in all competitions for the club, will hope his display at the weekend earns him a place back in the starting line-up when Hodgson’s side go to West Ham for a London derby on Saturday.