Alex Song began his return from injury by playing an hour as West Ham United beat Crystal Palace 1-0 in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Upton Park this afternoon.

The Barcelona loanee, who has been sidelined with an ankle problem since returning for a second loan spell with the Hammers, managed to play for just over an hour before being replaced by young midfielder Amos Nasha.

First team coach Slaven Bilic took the opportunity to see what youngsters Marcus Brown and Jahmal Hector-Ingram had to offer by starting the two Under-18s players.

The game looked like it was heading for a goalless draw but Jaanai Gordon, headed home Carl Jenkinson’s cross, straight past Eagles keeper Julian Speroni.

The first chance of the game fell for Palace as Patrick Bamford cut back for Connor Wickham and forced Raphael Spiegel to make a save to his right.

A quick response for the Hammers saw Mauro Zarate work a yard of space and test Julian Speroni with a stinging shot.

The deadlock was nearly broken when the Argentine came close once more but his 25-yard effort flew just wide.

The second half saw Bilic bring on Gordon, James Tomkins and Doneil Henry.

An hour into the game and Song served a reminder of what he can do with a defence-splitting pass for Michail Antonio, who forced Speroni into another sharp stop.

That was Song’s last involvement of the game as he was replaced with Nasha as planned and first team full-backs Carl Jenkinson and Aaron Cresswell also took to the field at that stage.

Alan Pardew’s side had a chance to win it when Frazier Campbell’s shot beat Spiegel but it skimmed just past the post.

And it looked like the game would end goalless until Jenkinson crossed for the unmarked Gordon to net the game’s only goal.