Edouard Mendy
Chelsea's number one goalkeeper was back in Premier League action for the first time since January 2 and wasn't worked overly hard at Selhurst Park with efforts from Michael Olise and Wilfried Zaha wide of his post. 6
Andreas Christensen
The Dane was used at right-back for Chelsea for the first time since the 2014/15 campaign under Jose Mourinho. Defensively he was sound but offered very little attack. Christensen also tucked in too often which only enabled Palace's back four to stay in shape as the Blues probed. 5
Thiago Silva
With Lille to come in the Champions League and Liverpool next weekend in the Carabao Cup final, it was somewhat of a surprise to see Silva in the starting XI. But his presence was welcome given how poorly Chelsea performed.
The 37-year-old was his usual self despite playing as the right centre-back in a four. He helped the Blues escape pressure when in possession and his positioning was near-flawless. 7
Antonio Rudiger
A typical Rudiger performance. There was a little aggression, some recovery excellent defending, and a shot from 25 yards that required Vicente Guatia to fly across his goal and pushed the ball clear.
The German could have perhaps been a little more adventurous with his passing but it shouldn't be on Rudiger to unlock a stubborn defence. 7
Malang Sarr
With Callum Hudson-Odoi injured, Thomas Tuchel was forced to use a back four and opted to deploy Sarr at left-back ahead of Marcos Alonso.
The Frenchman, as he has often been when called upon in recent weeks, was solid and fashioned Chelsea's clearest chance of the opening period with an incisive pass to N'Golo Kante, who saw his shot saved by Vicente Guatia.
Sarr was booked in the second half and was replaced by Alonso with 18 minutes to play as Chelsea searched for a winner. 6
Jorginho
Back in the starting XI after sitting out the Club World Cup final, Jorginho had very little impact in the first half as Palace condensed the middle of the pitch. There was no change after the interval and it was little surprise the Italian was replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek as Chelsea searched for a winner. 5
N'Golo Kante
The Frenchman partnered Jorginho in a midfield two and was given licence to break forward to join the attack. Kante had Chelsea's best chance of the opening period but saw his effort saved by Guaita.
His usual tenacity out of possession was absent, however, and the 30-year-old was brought off with Mateo Kovacic introduced. 5
Christian Pulisic
Crystal Palace have tended to bring out the best of the American, who went into this afternoon's game having struck five goals in five games against the Eagles. Pulisic was used as a ten at Selhurst Park but was on the periphery as Chelsea were forced to build attacks down the flanks.
Pulisic completely drifted out of the game in the second period and even a late change to play on the left of the attack didn't spur him into life. 4
Hakim Ziyech
With two centre-backs playing in the full-back positions, a midfield of Kante and Jorginho, and Pulisic and Havertz players who are at their best moving into space, there was much responsibility placed upon Ziyech to unlock the Palace defence.
The Morrocan was Chelsea's most lively attacking player and he did fashion a good opportunity for Pulisic at the back post that the American could only divert over the crossbar.
Ziyech did have the ball in the net in the second half after he converted a rebound after Romelu Lukaku had been denied by substitute goalkeeper Jack Butland. However, the Belgian was offside in the build-up and the goal was ruled out.
Fortunately, the 28-year-old wasn't to be denied and as the game entered its final minutes, Ziyech volleyed home to seal the three points for Chelsea. 8
Kai Havertz
There was hope pre-match that Havertz would use his winner in the Club World Cup final as a building block for the rest of his season. Based on his display at Selhurst Park, that may not be the case.
Used somewhat strangely on the left of the attack, Havertz had very little influence. His most notable moment came in the second period when he gave away possession inside his own half and Jeffrey Schlupp fired over. 4
Romelu Lukaku
The opening 45 minutes completely bypassed the Belgian striker, who by the interval had touched the ball just twice, one of which was the kick-off.
Lukaku was marginally more involved after the break but Chelsea struggled to plot a way through the Palace defence. The striker did have the shot that led to Ziyech scoring, prior to VAR spotting he was offside before receiving the ball.
Yes, the Blues' club-record signing can do more but this was a game in which he was feeding of scraps (if that). 4
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (for Jorginho, 72)
Added a bite that was missing in midfield but didn't get on the ball often. 6
Mateo Kovacic (for N'Golo Kante, 72)
Immediately got Lukaku in on goal after his introduction. Showed more intent in 18 minutes than many did in 90. 6
Marcos Alonso (for Malang Sarr, 72)
Provided the cross from which Ziyech scored. 7
