Benitez laments fan incident after

Benitez is baffled by a bottle at Palace

crystal palace 0 newcastle united 0

Rafael Benitez said the Newcastle United fan who threw a bottle at Crystal Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka “made a mistake”. The England Under-21 star appeared unhurt by the incident and played on without issue or, it seemed, complaint. Newcastle battled hard and rode their luck for a goalless Premier League draw at Selhurst Park, with their fans aiming bad-tempered chants at owner Mike Ashley – attending his first Newcastle game since May 2017. The away manager Benitez preferred to hail his team’s majority of well-behaved supporters, thanking them again for supporting him personally. “We had almost 3,000 fans here and one made a mistake – but the rest were fantastic,” said Benitez. “If we want to be stronger we need the fans behind us. Our fans away have been outstanding, no doubt about that. “Even if we make mistakes, even if we miss chances, even if I make the wrong calls, they have to support the players because it’s the best way for us to stay in the Premier League. The fans were excellent again.” Asked if he had had chance to speak to Ashley after yesterday’s stalemate, Benitez replied: “Not really. If the owner wants to support the team that’s fine. But if the owner could be on the pitch and score a couple of goals it would be better!” Palace are yet to win at home this season and wasted by far the better of the chances on the day in an admittedly low-quality affair. Driving rain drummed home the harsh realities that winter is coming and, on this evidence, lean times could await both clubs. Palace boss Roy Hodgson lamented his side wasting several giltedged chances to spurn victory, with Mamadou Sakho notably heading wide of an open goal. Talisman forward Wilfried