By Andrew McSteen

Joe Ledley enjoyed the perfect late cameo in Saturday’s memorable victory over champions Chelsea.

Joel Ward had just given Crystal Palace a 2-1 lead at Stamford Bridge when the Welsh midfielder entered the fray to replace Yohan Cabaye for the final eight minutes.

It was Ledley’s first appearance of the season, although he admitted afterwards it was touch and go whether he would get the nod to go on as Radamel Falcao had only just cancelled out Bakary Sako’s opener before Ward had the Eagles back in front.

The 28-year-old said: “I didn’t know I was coming on at first. 

“I knew I was coming on when we were 1-0 up, but then they got one back so I thought maybe I will have to wait and see what happens.

“When we got the second goal I knew then that I was coming on, so when I did I was just trying to break down play, not concede a goal and defend well from set plays. It all helps.”

Ledley added: “You get paid for coming on and doing a job and you’ve got to be professional.

“I had a good warm-up on the side, I came on and saw the job out and that’s what you need to do at this level.

“The manager likes using all the subs and everyone on that bench has got to be prepared.

“They came on and made a difference.”

Palace claimed their first victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, with the former Celtic midfielder able to have a birds-eye view of the action unfolding in front of him from the bench.

“Bakary Sako, Alex McCarthy and Yannick Bolasie played a big part today,” he said.

“Sako’s goal is fantastic and Yannick can create anything from nothing.

“Fair dos to Alex too, he pulled off some great saves.

“I thought we were getting in on the second balls well, doing well in midfield and getting out wide.

 “We overpowered them in midfield, got the ball wide and we counter attacked well.”

Ledley has now linked up with the Wales squad as they prepare for two vital European Championship qualifiers against Cyprus in Nicosia tomorrow before hosting Israel in Cardiff on Sunday.

Win both games and current leaders Wales look set for a long-awaited appearance at a major international tournament for the first time since 1958.

“I’m a very proud Welshman,” said Cardiff-born Ledley.

“Hopefully I can make history with them.

“As a professional I like going away with them, meeting up and especially in the situation we’re in at the moment - we’re at the top of the league and in good stead.

“That’s what I like doing, I like going up there, playing football and performing for your country. 

“But when I come back I’m a Palace player and I will put in performances for them as well.”

With Wales setting the pace in Group B and Palace flying high in second, this really is the perfect time to be Joe Ledley.

And the former Celtic player readily admits this is the best period in his career to date.

“Yeah, I think so,” he said.

“I think now, this season especially, we’ve (Crystal Palace) got a very good squad.

“We’re doing very well at the moment and we need to keep going.

“It’s very early but we’re up there in the Premier League and we’re up there in the internationals too.

“Wales are in the top ten - ninth in the world - so things are going well and we need to keep going.

“It was a great buzz in the changing room after the Chelsea win.

“We’ve been to Stamford Bridge a few times and haven’t won so it’s a big win for us.

“It’s still early doors but it’s a fantastic start and to come here like we did with that performance puts us in good stead for the future.”

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