CHELSEA midfielder Hakim Ziyech scored in the dying moments to snatch victory against Palace.
The late withdrawals of Cesar Azpilicueta and Callum Hudson-Odoi weakened the visitors in south London but Palace had problems of their own with Joel Ward and Blues loanee Conor Gallagher unavailable.
It resulted in Vieira switching formation to a 4-2-3-1 with Michael Olise recalled and he nearly opened the scoring after seven minutes.
Wilfried Zaha, deployed down the middle, found Olise on the right but after he worked a yard of space up against Antonio Rudiger, he could only drag his effort wide from eight yards.
Tuchel’s side responded with Christian Pulisic blazing over a half volley before Rudiger’s spectacular effort from more than 35 yards forced a fine save by Vicente Guaita.
N’Golo Kante was the next player to be presented with an opportunity after 20 minutes following a wonderful through ball by the recalled Malang Sarr but the World Cup winner fired straight at Guaita and it was the hosts who finished the first 45 strongly.
Three corners in quick succession lifted the atmosphere inside a wet and wind-battered Selhurst Park before a big opportunity was created prior to half-time.
Zaha timed his run and was found by Olise’s perfectly-weighted pass but with the angle tight, the Ivory Coast international could only fire past the post with just Edouard Mendy to beat.
Palace were forced into a change at the break with Jack Butland introduced for first-choice goalkeeper Guaita and he was braced for action when Kai Havertz was fouled a yard outside the area but Ziyech’s subsequent effort hit the wall.
Chelsea were denied a goal in the 75th minute when Hakim Ziyech’s tap-in was ruled out for offside.
Substitute Mateo Kovacic passed into Romelu Lukaku’s path and while his shot was saved by Jack Butland, Ziyech was on hand to slot home.
Yet VAR ruled Lukaku to be in an offside position as the game remained goalless at Crystal Palace.
Chelsea did make the breakthrough with a minute left at Selhurst Park.
Substitute Marcos Alonso crossed in towards the back post where Ziyech had been left unmarked and he volleyed in to make it 1-0.
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