Benteke’s First Goal in 2021 Seals Crystal Palace Win at Brighton

Christian Benteke scored a late goal to give Crystal Palace all three points in their 2-1 win away at Brighton on Monday evening.

The Belgian striker had just 2 goals in 16 Premier League games for the Eagles this season before the visit to the Amex stadium. His last goal for Crystal Palace was in the 1-1 draw to West Ham at the London Stadium in December in the Premier League.

Crystal Palace were on a 2-game losing streak having lost to Burnley and Leeds United in their last two games albeit they won the previous two matches before that.

Roy Hodgson’s side also has a long injury list with main man Wilfred Zaha out injured as well as seven other players.

James Tomkins, Jeffrey Schlupp, James McArthur, Mamadou Sakho, Wayne Hennessey, Nathan Ferguson, and Connor Wickham are the other players out injured for Palace.

Brighton before the game had lost just one of their last five winning two and drawing two, their loss coming against Leicester City on the 10th of February.

On-loan striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta gave Crystal Palace the lead 28 minutes into the game from a Jordan Ayew assist.

Joel Veltman equalized for the Seagulls five minutes before the hour mark, and both sides were set to share the spoils before Benteke slotted home from close range from an Andros Townsend’s assist.

The win puts Palace in 13th place with 32 points from 25 matches while Brighton is in 16 with 26 points 25 matches as well.

In their next game, Crystal Palace will host inform Fulham at the Selhurst Park at the weekend while Brighton will be at the Hawthorns against West Brom.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday Leeds United will host Southampton at the Saint Mary’s Stadium in one of their outstanding matches.

Written by: Daniel Ademiju Idowu