WILFRIED Zaha’s return to first-team action saw him grab the winning goal in Crystal Palace’s thoroughly deserved 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

Eagles supporters have had to endure some terrible displays from their team this season with the south Londoners sitting hopelessly at the bottom of the table with seven defeats and failure to register a goal prior to today.

Reigning champions Chelsea never looked comfortable as Andros Townsend and fan-favourite Zaha persistently threatened. The visitors struggled to cope with the pair’s speed, a point which Roy Hodgson alluded to when analysing where the game was won.

“I thought our defending was excellent from the first minute to the last, I thought our midfield passing and movement was very good and the two front players, both Andros and Wilf, made a big difference to our play by their ability to run with the ball and beat people but also by their ability to run behind people and use their pace.”

Club-record singing Christian Benteke was missing for the hosts through injury but it seemed to work in their favour as Palace’s forward line were more mobile and less predictable in their approach.

Zah, making his long-awaited return from injury, was a constant thorn in Chelsea’s side. He took his goal with aplomb after being played in by Mamadou Sakho on the stroke of half-time.

The poor start by the visitors was highlighted in the post-match press conference as Antonio Conte admitted that he expected more from his players.

“I think today was a difficult game for us. Our start was poor and when you play against Crystal Palace away, I think that you have to start with more personality, otherwise you allow your opponent to take confidence.”

Chelsea had responded quickly to going behind when Cesar Azpilicueta’s own goal was cancelled out by Tiemoue Bakayoko’s powerful header.

Ultimately that wasn’t enough and Zaha’s strike secured a crucial three points which finally gets the Eagles up and running for the season.