SAM LOVES THE FIGHTING SPIRIT
Allardyce praise for Benteke scrap
SAM ALLARDYCE defended Christian Benteke and Andros Townsend following their on-field spat at the end of Saturday’s crucial win.
Despite securing three points thanks to Patrick van Aanholt’s first Crystal Palace goal, the teammates stood toe-to-toe in a furious exchange moments after the final whistle, arguing about Townsend’s decision to shoot rather than pass to Benteke in the closing stages. Middlesbrough goalkeeper Victor Valdes eventually intervened.
Benteke then stormed down the tunnel, refusing to celebrate on the pitch with his team-mates.
But Allardyce played down the incident, saying: ‘It’s very good, because he (Benteke) loves scoring. He’s put in a lot of work.
‘Everyone’s lifted their physical element, which has come from the training we’ve given them, and that’s helped with the mental side. Decision-making was very good.
‘It shows they are taking more responsibility: they’re talented, they just haven’t been showing it on a regular basis, and certainly haven’t been consistent enough in the games played by letting some really sloppy goals in.’
Van Aanholt was quick to back Allardyce’s claims, saying the former England manager’s work on the training ground is starting to show its worth.
The Dutchman said: ‘We trained very hard and that’s paid off. We showed everyone we were up for winning the game. We were very good defensively. We came out and were dominant, thinking, “We’re here to win this game”.
Meanwhile, Aitor Karanka urged his side to bounce back after defeat left Middlesbrough tied with Palace on 22 points, one point above the drop zone.
‘The team know how good we are when we do the right things,’ said the Boro manager.
‘When we have played against teams around us in the table we have been much better than them. But the way we approached the game wasn’t the best.
‘We can’t make these mistakes. We have to realise that every week, the games get more important. We have to keep going.’
SUPER STAT: Excluding own goals, Patrick van Aanholt is the first player to score for two clubs in the Premier League this season (Sunderland and Palace).
CRYSTAL PALACE (4-2-3-1): Hennessey 6.5; Ward 7, Tomkins 7, Sakho 7.5, Van Aanholt 7.5 (Schlupp 88min); Milivojevic 7.5, Puncheon 7; Townsend 7.5, Cabaye 7 (McArthur 63, 6.5), Zaha 8 (Dann 88); Benteke 6.5. Subs not used: Speroni, Campbell, Kaikai, Delaney. Scorer: Van Aanholt 34. Booked: Cabaye, McArthur, Ward. MIDDLESBROUGH (3-5-2): Valdes 6; Ayala 6, Bernardo 6.5, Gibson 7; Fabio 6, De Roon 6, Forshaw 6.5 (Guedioura 61, 6), Gaston 6, Downing 5.5; Negredo 5 (Gestede 46, 6), Stuani 6 (Traore 79). Subs not used: Guzan, Leadbitter, Clayton, Fry. Booked: Fabio. Man of the match: Wilfried Zaha. Referee: Bobby Madley 4.5.