New boy Benteke
PALACE manager Alan Pardew was taking no chances last night as he sent out new £27million signing Christian Benteke in a bid to secure their first win of the season.
And that against a Blackpool side 12th in League Two.
Although the Belgium striker did not score in the 45 minutes he was on the pitch, his presence gave the Eagles attack a focal point it has lacked for a while.
True, Palace’s first goal of the campaign was an own goal by Blackpool’s Clark Robertson, and Pardew’s side did not always look three divisions better than their visitors in a sometimes stuttering performance. But he will not care after defeats in both of Palace’s opening league matches.
And if the competition for places caused by Benteke’s presence makes others up their game, then so much the better. Certainly Connor Wickham responded, scoring a minute after replacing Benteke.
Pardew had made seven changes to the