Chelsea left it late to take all three points in a 2-1 win at Selhurst Park in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
Through a mixture of postponements and an international break, new Blues boss Graham Potter was afforded a mini pre-season with his new troops and it seemed to pay dividends, with their patience paying off in victory.
It did not take long for a familiar malaise to descend upon the Pensioners, with Odsonne Edouard stabbing home for the Eagles in the 7th minute to punish a sleeping Chelsea backline. But a moment of sheer clinical quality from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang saw the Gabonese international open up his account for the club to restore parity five minutes before half-time.
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Despite the poor start, Potter had seen his side grow into the contest and they were full value to be on terms at the break in spite of concrete chances being few and fair between.
It was a trend that would continue into the second period, with gilt-edged opportunities at a premium. It took late sub and Crystal Palace's player of the season last year, Conor Gallagher, to loop in from distance in minute 90 for the Blues to pick up the win.
The lengthy wait for Potter's first win as Chelsea head coach is over and he will be hoping for number two when AC Milan visit Stamford Bridge on Wednesday - one that is very much needed.
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In the interim, here is how Absolute Chelsea rated the players' performance in south London.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7/10
A perfectly competent performance from the Spaniard, making a good save to deny the dangerous Eberechi Eze from distance early on and showing great confidence and command of his area during the Eagles' aerial assaults.
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Reece James - 7/10
Defensively sound and certainly demonstrated his usual power and poise on the right flank. Decent passing and chance creation, although one would hope he would be more forthcoming in getting crosses into the box for the likes of Aubameyang to attack.
Wesley Fofana - 6/10
Beyond poor for the Palace opener, sloppily giving away possession before leaving Edouard with the space of Selhurst Park to get in behind and tap home. Settled for the most part thereafter, with his willingness to drive out of defence with the ball pleasing to see.
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Thiago Silva - 8/10
It truly was bizarro world from the man they call 'O Monstro' today. It was either great fortune or wily play from the cunning old fox to avoid a red card for a quite deliberate handball as he dropped to the deck on the Palace counter, before he found himself in nosebleed territory and far from his defensive home to register a headed assist for Chelsea's number nine to strike. An unconventional performance, but exuding class all the same.
Ben Chilwell - 5/10
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Somewhat caught cold to let Jordan Ayew whip in a good ball for the hosts' goal and generally struggled with the pace of the game, albeit there is a level of understanding that mitigating factors make that so.
Jorginho - 4/10 [55]
Just far too sluggish and pedestrian in the middle of the park, unable to inject any meaningful tempo into proceedings beyond one that brought the game to a standstill for both sides. Too easily bypassed by Palace's exuberant youth, too.
Mateo Kovacic - 4/10
Hasn't quite got up to speed since returning from injury and this was an uncharacteristically sloppy display from the Croat. Quite wasteful in possession and he seemed to rush the majority of his decisions, while also being dragged into scrappy battles on plenty of occasions.
Mason Mount - 4/10
Looked half decent for Southgate's England a few days prior but has been absent without leave for both Tuchel's and Potter's Chelsea thus far this season. Spurned a decent headed chance before shamefully wasting a handy indirect free kick inside the area. Whether it's a case of hype going to the head or off-field distractions, Chelsea's talisman needs to focus on his football again, be humble and work hard to improve his poor performances.
Kai Havertz - 6/10 [76]
Plenty of sleekness and fleet-footedness to like from the silky German, but lacking bite and guile in the positions when it mattered most. Moved with purpose and intent but with a void of instinct.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang - 8/10 [76]
Many sniffed at the price tag, the contract length and - more to the point - the age of the former Arsenal man when he was brought in on deadline day this summer, and yet it is apparent his sharp edge and eye for goal has not waned in spite of his relatively advancing years. His equaliser was a finish of the highest order and a moment that the Blues desperately needed on the cusp of the interval to bring a new dynamic to proceedings.
Raheem Sterling - 4/10
Guilty of trying to be too cute and too clever when carrying the ball in advanced positions. His initiative and drive cannot be faulted but he can be too selfish to a fault when openings arise. On the periphery for the most part.
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Ruben Loftus-Cheek - 5/10 [55]
Brought on in place of Jorginho to bring more stability and steel to the engine room, although the Lewisham man failed to leave much of an impression on the game.
Armando Broja - 5/10 [76]
Showed spirit and an eagerness to make the difference, but the fixture mostly passed him by in this short cameo.
Conor Gallagher - 7/10 [76]
His Chelsea senior career has not been glittering but his goal was a literal timely reminder that he does possess genuine quality - something the Eagles know all too well.
Christian Pulisic - N/A [84]
Topics: Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Football, Premier League
Joel Middleton