Christian Benteke feels Crystal Palace could have been braver in ‘harsh’ 4-1 defeat against Tottenham Hotspur

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke says his side should have been braver after they suffered a 4-1 reverse in against Tottenham Hotspur tonight.

The Belgian scored his fifth league goal of the season in first-half added time to draw his side level following a 25th minute Gareth Bale opener. However, another strike from the Welshman less than five minutes into the second period and two more scored by Harry Kane saw the Eagles suffer a heavy defeat.

“I think 4-1 is a bit harsh tonight,” said Benteke to Premier League Productions after the match. “Obviously, we played against a top side and I think we got punished for our mistakes. When you come back against a top side just after half-time you should start the second half with a bit of confidence, to be more brave on the ball and we didn’t. When you concede after five minutes in the second half it becomes difficult.”

The goal from Benteke was what many fans have been crying out to see – a firm, strong header, clear of any central defence impediment and set up from a perfect cross, this time from Palace captain Luka Milivojevic.

Despite the heavy loss, the goal, along with a Wilfried Zaha return as a second half substitute after missing the past month, were highlights for Palace on a freezing cold night as they now look towards the rest of the season, which is in its final stages.

“Credit to Luka, he put the perfect cross [in] and me and my strength [meant] I had the chance to finish that great cross,” said Benteke about the Serbian’s assist. “We have to keep going, we know all the end games are always tough because the teams are playing for Champions League or [to avoid] relegation so it won’t be easy, but I think we’ve got the squad to look up and win games.

“With 10 games left we will need him,” added Benteke about Zaha. “We will need him, we will need his presence, his skills and his ability to score goals for us. I know Wilf as someone who is always fit and it’s rare when he picks up an injury.”