Palace fans are delighted all the transfer talk surrounding Ben Watson during the summer came to nothing.
The 23-year-old midfielder seemed sure to go - with Birmingham, Nottingham Forest and QPR all keen. But at the last minute Palace sold Tom Soares to Stoke and against the odds Watson stayed.
He was given his first League start of the season yesterday and made the most of it by firing the goal that sent Palace on their way to three points.
Manager Neil Warnock refused to explain why a proposed move broke down.
He said: "It might draw me into saying things I could regret.
"Ben is a smashing lad and I'm hoping he will knuckle down and give his best over the coming months."
Watson certainly did that with an all-action display and was man of the match. But he is still refusing to sign the new contract Palace have offered.
"Ben could have a new deal tomorrow but he does not want one," Warnock added.
"But we have him tied up for some time yet and he certainly cannot go on a free transfer next summer."
Palace also owe a big debt to keeper Julian Speroni, who produced a string of super saves to protect their lead. The Argie keeper saved well from the lively Jason Scotland, Mark Gower and Darren Pratley twice as the Swans battled to get something from the game.
But Speroni defied them to help Palace to their first home win of the season and leave Swansea relieved they don't have to visit south London again this season.
They were down the road at Charlton on the opening day and finished up beaten by the same scoreline.
The Swans did well enough in the early stages knocking the ball around well.
But once Palace took the lead the picture changed.
Watson made the breakthrough in the 28th minute - as Palace striker James Scowcroft was leaving on a stretcher after being brought down out on the left.
The resulting free-kick proved costly for the Swans, with Watson whipping in a ball that went over keeper Dorus De Vries and straight into the net. It was Palace's first home goal of the season after 204 minutes of football.
And after Speroni had broken Swansea hearts, Nick Carle made sure of the points for Warnock's men with a crisp low left footer in the 68th minute.
It was his third goal in seven games since joining Palace from Bristol City in the summer.
Swansea boss Roberto Martinez claimed both goals were sloppy.
He said: "Normally when we have conceded goals we've shrugged them off and got on with the game.
"Today we didn't do that. We lacked the mental strength to regain our composure and pattern of play. We've got to take it on the chin, learn from it and make sure it does not happen again.
"We still had enough chances to have come away with something, but Speroni made his saves at vital times."
Crystal Palace: Speroni 8 - Butterfield 6, Lawrence 6, Fonte 6, Hill 6 - Oster 5 (Djilali, 22mins, 6), *WATSON 8, Derry 7, Carle 7, Ifill 7 (Scannell,88 mins) - Scowcroft 5 (Andrew, 27mins, 6).
Swansea City: De Vries 6 - Rangel 6, Williams 6, Monk 6, Painter 6 (Bessone, 70mins, 6) - Gower 5 (Pintado, 50mins, 5), Britton 6, Pratley 7, Bodde 6, Butler 6, *SCOTLAND 7 (Brandy 83).
Referee: L Mason 6.