Ghana duo Jordan Ayew and Jeffrey Schlupp were both in action for Crystal Palace whose poor run continued on Saturday with a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea with Hakim Ziyech scoring the winning goal in the 89th minute.
Thomas Tuchel’s side last played in the top flight almost a month ago when they defeated Tottenham, and have had a week’s rest since winning the Club World Cup last Saturday.
It looked like they would be frustrated by their hosts but Ziyech popped up at the back post to stroke in a delightful volley from Marcos Alonso’s cross.
Moroccan Ziyech had converted earlier in the second half when he swept home following Jack Butland’s save, but Romelu Lukaku was adjudged to be offside by VAR.
Vicente Guaita had made good saves in the first half from N’Golo Kante’s effort and Antonio Rudiger’s long range thunderbolt, before the Palace goalkeeper was taken off at half-time because of injury.
The hosts, meanwhile, did not have a single shot on target in the entire contest.