Palace win on Benteke debut

Christian Benteke made his Crystal Palace debut in the 2-0 win over Blackpool in the EFL Cup second round at Selhurst Park, on Tuesday.

A much-changed team responded to 1-0 Premier League defeats at home to West Brom and away to Tottenham by easing into the competition’s third round.

The attacking potential that has been missing for much of 2016 showed signs of returning, with Connor Wickham and Scott Dann getting on the scoresheet.

Alan Pardew made seven changes to the team that lost at Spurs on Saturday, but it retained a strong look.

Only  Dann, Pape Souare, Andros Townsend and Jason Puncheon kept their places, but there was little question Pardew was aware of the need to win after two defeats.

In addition to £27m club-record signing Benteke, France international goalkeeper Steve Mandanda was given his debut. There was also a first start for the £10m James Tomkins in central defence and places in midfield …

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