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The Eagles kicked off their Professional Development League campaign in impressive style, adapting to a tweaked system to secure a 2-0 victory over an energetic and physical Burnley under-23 side.
First team players Damien Delaney, Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur all featured for the Eagles and all three played their part at either end of the pitch.
A slow start to proceedings at Palace's Copers Cope Training Ground meant that neither side had a clear cut chance in the opening 25 minutes. Burnley's Khius Metz did, however, have a goal disallowed for a foul on Palace goalkeeper Dion-Curtis Henry - and Yohan Cabaye also saw a long-range effort fly well over the Clarets' crossbar.
Andre Coker had the game's first half-chance, seeing his left-footed effort blocked by Scott Wilson almost immediately as he looked to let fly from inside the Burnley box on 25 minutes. The Eagles had been playing some nice, possession football in the early stages, but the Coker chance seemed to spark the game properly into life with Burnley's Jamie Thomas thumping a low, awkward free-kick off the base of Henry's post two minutes later.
Palace's best chance of the half came on 34 minutes when Jason Lokilo played an inviting ball in from a free kick on the corner of the area. It bounced awkwardly and was left by the Burnley defence, allowing Aaron Wan-Bissaka to meet it at the back post and smash narrowly off target.
Half time saw the withdrawal of Cabaye and introduction of McArthur. The French midfielder had looked composed and confident during his 45 minutes, boding well for his first team return. McArthur looked impressive on his return, partnering Nya Kirby in the centre of the Eagles 3-4-3 formation, the Scotsman helped to keep the ball moving and Palace grew more and more into the game, limiting Burnley's chances to a premium.
It was McArthur who played a key role in Palace's opener on 67 minutes, nodding a free kick back into a dangerous area from his position at the far post, a Burnley defender controlled the loose ball before losing his balance and Sam Woods was on hand to coolly slot it across the face of goal and in off the upright.
The Eagles remained in control and threatened to pull further ahead with the likes of wing-backs Levi Lumeka and Aaron Wan-Bissaka enjoying bursts beyond the Burnley backline into dangerous areas.
With seconds left McArthur put the game beyond doubt, controlling the ball on the edge of the box before perfectly placing a curling effort into the top corner, wrong-footing Aiden Stone.
Scorers: Sam Woods, James McArthur.
Palace: Henry; Wan-Bissaka, Woods, Delaney, Phillips; Kirby, Cabaye (McArthur, 46); Lumeka, Kaikai (Flanagan, 68), Lokilo (McGregor, 84); Coker.
Subs: Webber, Mitchell.
Burnley: Stone, Hendrie, Younger, Wilson, Koiki, Chakwana (Wood, 88), Nabi, N'Guessan, McNeil, Thomas (Bayode, 60), Metz (Limb, 68).
Subs: King, Birch.