City had the first strike on goal in the 15th minute when Ricketts beat the offside trap and waited for the bounce before lashing the ball inches over the visitors crossbar.
Five minutes later a Jason Koumas free-kick was tipped over the bar by Palace keeper Gabor Kiraly who was certainly the busiest shot-stopper as City stepped up a gear.
The Bluebirds went ahead in the 26th minute after a fine piece of opportunism by Cameron Jerome. He chased a long ball to the byline and fired in a shot that Kiraly couldn't hold.
Kevin Cooper was in like a flash for the loose ball and it deflected to Ricketts who thumped it into the corner of the net for his second strike in two games.
As the first half drew to a close Palace piled on the pressure but the Bluebirds defence held firm.
The second half was only six minutes old when Jerome should have increased Cardiff's lead. Ricketts crossed from the right and a deflection sent the ball into Jerome's path but he hooked his shot over an open goal.
Neil Alexander came to City's rescue on the hour when he beat out a shot from Ben Watson and as Tom Soares ran in he managed to finger-tip the ball behind for a corner.
McAnuff was brought on by Iain Dowie and his runs began causing the Bluebirds problems and from one of his crosses Jon Macken lifted the ball over Alexander's crossbar when well-placed.
Cardiff were now being penned back in their own half and a header from Soares flashed wide while Clinton Morrison forced another save from Alexander. Dowie used all his substitutes as the clock ticked down but City survived a few scares to thoroughly deserve their second victory of the week.