In the midst of a losing run, there was an element of pressure on Burnley to start turning things around quickly to avoid being cut adrift.
They made a positive start at Turf Moor, but as has become customary this term, it was them who gave up the games first big chance.
Jean-Philippe Mateta was too strong in the challenge for Hjalmar Ekdal, shrugging him off inside the area before rifling an effort that forced a smart stop out of Martin Dúbravka.
The Clarets responded by testing Dean Henderson up the other end, with Jaidon Anthony’s curling effort forcing the Palace stopper to spring across his line and beat the ball away to safety.
Scott Parker’s men felt a little hard done by 10 minutes before half time when Anthony went down under a challenge from Chris Richards inside the area, but no issue was found by either the referee or VAR.
It was one that probably stung that little bit more when Palace nosed in front on the stroke of the interval. Marc Guéhi’s ball into the back post was teasing, and as Daniel Muñoz got the wrong side of his marker, he was afforded the simplest task to head back across goal and into the far corner.
Introducing Jacob Bruun Larsen at the break went to show just how unhappy Parker was with his side, but a like-for-like change didn’t appear to be what Burnley needed to get back into the game.
The Clarets were lucky to even reach the hour mark and still be in the game after Mateta broke clear on goal and was only denied by a stunning Dúbravka save.
Moments of encouragement were fleeting for the hosts, but they did create something from nothing shortly after the hour mark when Bruun Larsen rattled the post from close range.
That was one of few promising moments for Burnley, who looked completely void of ideas in the final third, which is starting to become a growing reflection on Parker, who now finds himself fighting to keep his job.
Victory was no huge surprise for Palace, who have now lost just one of their last 18 games against newly-promoted opposition in the PL and have yet again proved why they’re challenging the European spots.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Daniel Muñoz (Crystal Palace)
