Eagles boss Pardew vindicated after early Benteke success

Christian Benteke certainly has his mojo back at Crystal Palace and Eagles boss Alan Pardew admits he is feeling vindicated after pushing hard for his summer signing.

After a prolific spell at Aston Villa, Benteke struggled somewhat after earning a £32.5million move to Liverpool last year – failing to nail down a starting berth and scoring just nine Premier League goals all season.

But the Belgian is rejuvenated following a £27m switch to Selhurst Park over the summer, notching three goals in his first five league games.

The latest of those came on Friday night as he nodded in the equaliser to earn Palace a 1-1 draw with Everton.

And Pardew couldn’t be happier with the impact the powerhouse targetman has had.

“He was our number one target all summer and we stuck on it, and I pushed Steve [Parish] on it and he ummed and ahhed about it,” explained Pardew.

“There were a few phonecalls to our American owners and plenty of questions, but of course he is repaying that now because he’s a quality player.

“I do think he was a bit unlucky at Liverpool to not have a run of games and I think he needed that.

“Big guys like him, Andy Carroll and Rickie Lambert were the same and it’s difficult for big guys to come in and out. We’re really pleased with him.”

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Benteke’s goal against Everton was a towering far-post header from Joel Ward’s pinpoint cross and means the Eagles are unbeaten in their last five Premier League matches.

The 25-year-old is a constant threat in the air and Pardew claims he is up there with the best players he has managed when it comes to aerial ability.

“I’ve managed Teddy Sheringham and Andy Carroll so he’s in good company,” added Pardew.

“I think Andy and Christian are on a par, but technique-wise Teddy was probably the best.

“Christian is a handful when anything that comes into the box, and if he pulls onto the full-back I don’t think there’s anyone in the league that can cope with him.

“[Against Everton] the ball was right on the money and if we can get quality ball into him then we know he’s going to score.”