Matt Jansen could have been watching Saturday's clash with Norwich from the stands instead of inspiring the Eagles to a 5-1 win, writes Carl Gunaratnam.

With the dust still settling around Selhurst Park after Saturday's mauling of the Canaries, Eagles boss Terry Venables revealed that the two-goal star was far from fit and could easily have been forced out of the crunch match.

"He might not have played," said El Tel. "After the England trip he had some blood tests and was not 100 per cent fit."

Jansen, 21, on Tuesday, earned rave reviews for his performance in last weekend's England U21 win over Bulgaria and must take much of the credit for Palace's biggest win of the season that has sent shockwaves through Division 1. His pace and eye for goal ripped the heart of Norwich. Bizarrely, the wonder-kid's electrifying form is sure to give El Tel's backroom staff further headache as they are already struggling to keep pace with a fax machine buzzing with inquiries from the host of Premiership club's tracking the youngster.

El Tel also threw a wet blanket over speculation that more new faces were on their way to Selhurst Park before Tuesday night's match with Wolves. "We have a big staff of around 22 players here now and I am happy and looking forward to training with them," he said.

Jansen might have inspired Palace's five star performance but he wasn't the only player to lift hopes around Selhurst on Saturday that the Eagles have both the skills and quality for an immediate return to the Premieship. New boy Matthais Svensson grabbed his first goal while Australian import Nicky Rizzo blasted a net-busting 30 yard curler.

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