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Benteke double stops Palace rot
- Updated: December 3, 2016
Crystal Palace eased the pressure on manager Alan Pardew and pulled away from the drop zone as they ended a run of six straight defeats with a 3-0 victory over Southampton at Selhurst Park.
Birthday boy Christian Bentake scored twice and the Eagles also owe a debt of gratitude to Southampton’s England goalkeeper Fraser Forster, who made a monumental blunder to hand them the lead.
Christian Benteke (33) capitalised on the mistake and James Tomkins then doubled the lead three minutes later, as the home fans really began to enjoy their afternoon.
A lacklustre Southampton side were improved after the break but squandered a couple of chances and Benteke, who turned 26 today, put them out of their misery five minutes from time.
The atmosphere was subdued during a quiet first half-hour, Benteke heading Palace’s best chance wide while Sofiane Boufal had a shot blocked at the other end after a delightful piece of skill.
Out of nowhere, disaster then struck for Forster, who decided to clear Jose Fonte’s pass with his left foot, only for the ball to hit his right and bobble up, meaning his left made …
