Rob Sutherland’s big-match verdict: Crystal Palace have to bring in a striker in January transfer window – Benteke has missed his chances to impress

NEWCASTLE UNITED 1
Almiron 83
CRYSTAL PALACE 0
BY ROB SUTHERLAND AT ST JAMES’ PARK

Following Crystal Palace’s late defeat to Newcastle United, much of the focus will be on the club’s injury issues which have made Roy Hodgson’s job a challenging one in recent weeks.

Defensive injuries forced the Eagles manager to get creative by playing midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate in defence with James McCarthy occupying his midfield spot. But the real issues continue to be in attack.

Palace dominated much of the second half and had the balance of play in the first 45 minutes too, thanks to resilience in defence and midfield, but profligacy in front of goal allowed Newcastle to steal the win late on with a Miguel Almiron strike.

The Eagles still only average a goal a game and all the time that is the case they will continue to be susceptible to defeats in matches where performances have warranted more.

Their failure to take any of their chances on Saturday is a reminder – not that Hodgson needs one – that they lack an out-and-out goalscorer.

Misfiring striker Christian Benteke had two gilt-edged chances to score, but failed to capitalise on either. The first came when a precise cross from Patrick van Aanholt was headed wide, while the second fell to him midway through the second half – Jordan Ayew’s throughball sent him free on goal but he shot directly at Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka.

The Belgian striker’s performance arguably deserved a goal. His link-up play and physical presence posed a constant challenge to his opponents, but that lack of a cutting edge in goalscoring positions continues to be a major concern. For a player that looks like he might just needs a goal to get that scoring habit started, it continues to look like it might be a goal too far.

Benteke’s missed opportunities weren’t the only disappointment, though. Wilfried Zaha failed to take two chances he had, while the same can be said for James McArthur, who twice found himself in one-on-one situations only to miss.

With Newcastle fans growing increasingly restless, a goal would likely have resulted in more. But that goal just didn’t come.

And in those circumstances, all it took was for Palace to have one lapse of concentration. It came in the 83rd minute.

A quick exchange of passes between Javier Manquillo and Fabian Schar saw Zaha and Van Aanholt failing to mark or close down either, which allowed a simple cross to be looped into Andy Carroll. The striker has a habit of scoring against Palace but on this occasion he delicately cushioned a header back to Almiron, who volleyed the ball past Vicente Guaita.

After Palace had dealt with most of what Newcastle had to offer, it was
a sucker punch that clearly hurt the side. Zaha and Van Aanholt were seen arguing and gesticulating at each other following the goal.

With the opening of the transfer window just a week and a half away, Palace will need to move quickly to reinforce the team’s weakest areas.

There will be an expectation that those signings would come in both full-back positions, but while Hodgson can do a decent patchwork job in midfield and defence with tactical changes, it’s imperative that another striking option arrives to provide a greater goal threat for when chances are created.

With the loss of Andros Townsend to injury, and with Palace having to include inexperienced attackers James Daly and Brandon Pierrick on the bench, relying on Benteke — a striker who has scored four goals in two seasons — just isn’t sensible.

There are only so many chances you can give to a striker who has been so wasteful in front of goal, and it’s arguably time for Palace to seek a striker who can lead the line.

Crystal Palace (4-3-3): Guaita 8, Kelly 7, Tomkins 7, Kouyate 8, Van Aanholt 8, McCarthy 7, Milivojevic 7, McArthur 7 (Meyer 86), Zaha 8, Benteke 7, Ayew 7. Not used: Hennessey, Riedewald, Daly, Pierrick, Woods, Wickham.