Christian Benteke says Crystal Palace need to be more ruthless if they are going to start climbing the Premier League table. The Eagles suffered late heartbreak at the Emirates on Monday night when, after clawing their way back from a goal down to lead 2-1, they conceded with virtually the last kick of the game. The feeling was all too familiar for Palace supporters, who just before the international break had watched their side throw away three points from a similar position against Brighton at Selhurst Park. Benteke, who opened his account for the season with his equalising goal in the second half, said he was pleased with how side played during the match but that the team needs to cut out the late goals that are costing them.
Christian Benteke said: “We are playing the way that the manager wants us to play, with intensity and playing football. But now it’s not enough to win a Premier League game. We have to be more ruthless and play with more experience and stop conceding those late goals. In this kind of game, when you are leading, you can’t draw. In this kind of game, you have to go back home with the three points.”
The goal means Patrick Vieira’s side have now drawn five of their opening eight Premier League games, with victory over Spurs in September still their only win of the campaign so far.
Christian Benteke added: “I can’t just say it’s concentration, it’s a lot of things going on. There is emotion because we are leading, we are playing away from home, it’s a tough game, and we are tired – there are lot of things going on. There is no excuse because now is not the first time where we are dropping points, and we have to learn from our mistakes. But we are learning the hard way.”
Palace will hope to pick themselves back up when they take on Newcastle United at Selhurst Park this Saturday, where there’ll be an expectation on the side to right the wrongs of previous games.
