Benteke to the rescue

CHRISTIAN Benteke climbed off the bench to come to Sam Allardyce’s rescue just when it looked as if the new Palace manager’s nightmare would continue at the hands of his old club.

Big Sam spent eight happy years in charge of Bolton and it appeared as if an awful autumn, when he got the boot as England boss after just one game, was continuing into a bleak midwinter.

James Henry gave the League One side the lead three minutes into the second half but Allardyce was finally able to celebrate his first Palace win when Benteke scored twice after being introduced.

Allardyce went into last night’s replay without a win in his first five games at Palace.

He made seven changes to the side that were beaten 3-0 at West Ham on Saturday, including first starts for Loic Remy and Sullay Kaikai, recently recalled from a loan spell at Brentford.

There appeared little romance for the cup with fans staying away.

On a freezing night in south London there was little for the home fans to get excited about in the first half as Bolton defied their status two leagues below.

Wanderers could have taken the lead when a Josh Vela shot went wide of the post and after Kaikai had gone close in a rare move for the hosts, David Wheater missed the target when well placed following a Jay Spearing corner.

Kaikai, 21, did look promising and he came close to finding the net with his RAFA Benitez believes Daryl Murphy’s impact in the weeks ahead will prove the wisdom of his transfer policy at Newcastle – and remind owner Mike Ashley that it is best to leave footballing matters to the manager.

Murphy, right, will spearhead the attack in tonight’s FA Cup third-round replay against Birmingham at St James’ Park having scored the visitors’ goal in the initial tie and