Norwich City opened their account for the new Premier League season this afternoon but had to settle for a point at home to QPR.

Simeon Jackson headed the Canaries in front in the 11th minute by finishing off a fine passing move but Chris Hughton's men were pegged back shortly after by the Londoners.

Sebastien Bassong, making his debut for the Canaries, fouled Djibril Cisse inside the penalty area and referee Mark Clattenburg pointed to the spot. The Frenchman's effort was expertly saved by John Ruddy but Bobby Zamora slid home the rebound.

City looked the side more likely to claim the three points in the second half with a display which was infinitely better than the performance at Fulham last weekend.

The impressive Robert Snodgrass headed just over after a good cross from Anthony Pilkington while Russell Martin thought he had won it for his side late on but his looping header crashed against the crossbar.

Hughton showed a ruthless streak in his starting XI, ditching four members of the side guilty in the capitulation to Fulham last weekend.

It was all change at the heart of the City back four with Ryan Bennett dropped to the bench and Michael Turner missing from the matchday squad altogether. Leon Barnett was brought in from the cold and Sebastien Bassong, signed in a �4m deal from Tottenham in midweek, made his debut. Javier Garrido was also brought in at the expense of Marc Tierney and Simeon Jackson started up front alongside Grant Holt in favour of Andrew Surman.

It was clear from the outset that both sides had a point to prove to their managers with the match setting off at a gripping tempo. The first chance of any note fell to the visitors when John Ruddy misjudged Djibril Cisse's cross from the left but Jamie Mackie glanced wide.

Mackie had another half-chance in the seventh minute when he cut in from the right flank but his left-footed shot lacked any real pace to trouble Ruddy.

City hit the front in the 11th minute from a lovely flowing move with the lively Snodgrass at the heart. The former Leeds man drifted in off the right flank before feeding the ball to Jackson, whose nice interchange with Holt gave the ball back to Snodgrass, who had continued his run. Snodgrass set Pilkington free down the left and, with plenty of time and space, the winger delivered an inch-perfect cross for Jackson at the back post to nod home from close range under pressure from Armand Traore.

City's lead was shortlived however and QPR levelled in the 18th minute in the most frustrating of circumstances.

There appeared little danger when Cisse received the ball from Junior Hoilett inside the penalty area but one rash challenge later from Bassong gave the visitors the perfect chance to restore parity. Cisse dusted himself down to take the spot-kick but saw his effort brilliantly saved by Ruddy low down to his left. However, Zamora, who appeared to be encroaching before the penalty was taken, scuffed home the rebound.

City responded well to the setback and Holt was clearly enjoying his physical battle with R's defender Clint Hill. The City skipper was coming out on top and when he was awarded a free-kick it gave Snodgrass the chance to deliver a cross for Russell Martin at the back post but his header flew just wide.

Snodgrass produced an excellent jinking run in the 25th minute but his cross from the by line was hacked clear by Anton Ferdinand from inside his own six-yard box.

QPR skipper Ji Sung Park was becoming more of an influence as the half progressed and shortly before half-time he was allowed to make far too much progress into the City penalty area but his shot was blocked and Bassong cleared.

Snodgrass had a 25-yard effort well saved by Green as City ended the half the stronger of the two sides.

They continued in the ascendancy at the start of the second period and if Jackson had shown a little more composure their lead would have been restored. Pilkington's pass was deflected into the Canadian's path to give him a clear sight of goal but from the corner of the six-yard box he lashed into the side-netting.

The Canaries had a massive let-off shortly after when the referee's assistant kept his flag down after Zamora's lofted pass split the City back four but, fortunately for the home side, Cisse was unable to control the pass allowing Ruddy to collect.

Jackson still looked the most likely to be City's matchwinner with his pace and movement a constant thorn in the side of the QPR back four. His left-footed effort in the 52nd minute from the corner of the penalty area had Green worried but the ball flew just over.

The contest was on a knife-edge and in the 65th minute Bassong had a glorious chance to mark his debut with a goal. Snodgrass tricked his way past Traore but was tripped by the former Arsenal man and from the resulting free-kick Snodgrass picked out Bassong at the back post but the defender headed wide.

Jackson was inches away from a Snodgrass cross 60 seconds later as City started to turn the screw. The Scottish international had an even better chance himself 20 minutes from time when Garrido's excellent cross picked him out but, from eight yards out, he headed over with the ball clipping the roof of the net.

Holt, who had already seen off Clint Hill, was still proving a handful and after being brought down by Ferdinand, Clattenburg produced a yellow card for the defender.

Russell Martin almost got his customary goal against QPR seven minutes from time when Pilkington picked him out from the left but his looping header smacked the crossbar.

• Norwich City (4-4-2): Ruddy, R Martin, Barnett, Bassong, Garrido, Snodgrass, Johnson, Howson, Pilkington, Holt (Morison, 87), Jackson (C Martin, 87). Subs not used: Rudd, Hoolahan, Surman, Tierney, R Bennett.

• QPR (4-4-2): Green, Fabio, Ferdinand, Hill (Onuoha, 46), Traore (Bosingwa, 70), Mackie, Diakite (Derry, 86), Park, Hoilett, Zamora, Cisse. Subs not used: Murphy, Johnson, Taarabt, Wright-Phillips.

• Goals: Norwich City: Jackson (11), QPR: Zamora (19)

• Bookings: QPR: Hill (24), Ferdinand (82)

• Referee: Mark Clattenburg (Tyne & Wear)

• Attendance: 26,317