Alan Pardew expects Christian Benteke’s fine goalscoring record in the top flight to continue now that he has opened his Premier League account with Crystal Palace.
Despite a disappointing season at Liverpool Benteke owns a highly impressive goalscoring record in the English league, having averaged a goal every 173 minutes since scoring on his debut for Aston Villa in 2012.
It didn’t take Benteke long to open his account for Palace, heading home a Wilfried Zaha cross in a 2-1 victory at Middlesbrough that was just a third outing at his new club for the Belgian international. Pardew believes that the floodgates could soon open for the £27million summer signing.
Pardew said: “I think it is important when you sign a big-name striker, and I have done that many times at West Ham andNewcastle and here, that they score early. It is so important.
The best pictures from today's matches (10/09/2016)
“It was such a great moment to see that ball go in. You knew that was a golden opportunity for him.
“So, if we can get that kind of delivery for him, he is almost impossible to mark in those situations.
“His scoring percentage level and his record, I can’t see it going backwards.”
Benteke is set to start for Palace tomorrow when they welcome Stoke to Selhurst Park. The Eagles won their three games against Mark Hughes’ side, currently bottom of the formative Premier League, last season.
It has been a frustrating start to the season for Mark Hughes, who saw his side lose 4-0 to Tottenham last week, but Pardew expects Stoke to raise their game tomorrow as they look to end their losing run against Palace.
“When you've had defeats against a club it makes you a little more determined,” he said. “I think they will be.
“We had tight games, particularly at their place last season. It could have gone either way. We all know the margins are so fine in the Premier League. The difference between the two sides is minimal."
