Norwich vs Crystal Palace: Dean Smith does not expect a Grim Reaper's 'hat-trick'

Rejuvenated Dean Smith does not expect to complete a bizarre hat-trick as the Premier League's grim reaper.

Back-to-back Norwich wins against Everton and Watford, which catapulted Smith's team out of the drop zone, led immediately to the sack for rival bosses Rafa Benitez and Claudio Ranieri.

But the Canaries manager need not fear his opposite number at Crystal Palace, Patrick Vieira, will be in any danger of losing his job after they meet at Carrow Road.

And with tough games against Manchester City and Liverpool to follow, Smith joked: “I don't think Pep Guardiola or Jurgen Klopp need to worry, either!”

Four wins in five league and Cup games have given Norwich genuine hope of avoiding relegation after they looked doomed following six consecutive defeats without a goal either side of Christmas.

Asked if his players had become more streetwise, Smith said: “I don't think we've been coaching how to be streetwise - but I think certainly they all learn by playing against and seeing what the top players are doing.

“Players become magpies and pinch things off other players that can help their own games, and if that's what becoming streetwise is for us, so be it.”

Smith, harshly axed by Aston Villa in November, bounced straight back into management at Norwich a week later.

He looked to have taken on an impossible job when their grim 3-0 defeat at Palace six weeks ago left the Canaries four points adrift of safety with a squad crippled by injuries and illness.

But Smith has presided over a revival which has transformed the mood in Norfolk, and he admitted: “That defeat at Palace was a real low point, for sure.

"I felt terrible after the game, that was as low as we could have gone.

“I have felt rejuvenated in the fact that