Christian Benteke provides evidence he can be the standout strike partner for Wilfried Zaha at Crystal Palace

BY SAM SMITH

As Christian Benteke turned past Kyle Bartley, swivelled, and struck a left-footed drive into the corner of West Brom’s net, Crystal Palace fans could be forgiven for reminiscing about the Benteke of old.

A fantastic individual performance at The Hawthorns saw the Belgian international score twice in a Premier League game for the first time since he netted a brace against Liverpool in 2017.

A fruitful partnership with Wilfried Zaha, in which both players complemented the other’s game so well, dismantled the Baggies in Sunday’s 5-1 win.

Against all the odds, there is now a genuine argument for Benteke to be the regular frontline partner for Zaha.

While there are doubts about Michy Batshuayi’s ability to contribute enough outside the penalty area, and while Jordan Ayew struggles to rekindle the form that made him last season’s top scorer, Benteke has re-emerged.

In defeats against Burnley and Newcastle United, Palace improved when the 30-year-old came on for the latter stages. His start against West Brom – his first since being sent off against former club Aston Villa last season – had been well earned.

It has been difficult to watch Benteke play in this Palace side during the last three years without wondering what might have been for a striker who was once one of the most prolific in the Premier League.

Injuries and a loss of form have plagued his time at Selhurst Park since his maiden term. There have been just six goals in three years.

And yet it is easy to forget just how much of an impact Benteke made in the 2016-17 season.

Seventeen goals in all competitions – mostly after Sam Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew – marked an excellent year following a disappointing spell at Liverpool. Those goals were a resounding factor in Palace escaping relegation.

Towards the end of that campaign, he seemed more like the player who made such an impression at Villa. That the former Genk man can still boast of either scoring or assisting a Premier League goal at a rate of one every two and-a-half games is evidence of just how well he performed at his first club in English football.

Ninety-four combined goals and assists in 232 top-flight appearances is an outstanding record for a player who has spent most of his time in English football playing for clubs in the bottom half of the division. Deep down, there is surely still a player who could re-establish that form.

He had failed to fit in at Liverpool. Brendan Rodgers signed him, but the Irishman was soon replaced by Jurgen Klopp. The German prefers a more mobile and energetic forward.

Benteke could never do the job of Roberto Firmino, Mohamed Salah or Sadio Mane, but there was still a very competent striker that Palace snapped up. A poacher and a target man rolled into one, someone reliable in front of goal who could also be the focal point of the team and create chances for other players.

There was a period under Allardyce when a ball would be stood up to the back post and you knew Benteke would be there, climbing higher than a centre-back to nod it into the net.

His performance against his former club’s rivals should stand as a reminder of that player. His first goal was a carbon copy of the scenario just described – glancing in Patrick van Aanholt’s delivery.

It also proved Palace are better when he plays. There were shades of that last season but not regularly enough for him to demand a regular place.

The Eagles have a far sturdier structure when Benteke is present. Neither Batshuayi nor Ayew have his ability to act as a pivot for other players to move around.

For Eberechi Eze and Zaha, who both enjoy playing quick, incisive passes around the penalty area, Benteke is the ideal player to have alongside. He intelligently spearheads an attack and on Sunday appeared more on Eze’s wavelength than Ayew and Batshuayi had been in previous outings.

Eze, Zaha and Jeffrey Schlupp stayed close to Benteke in attacking scenarios against West Brom.

The quartet’s passing and quick movement proved too difficult for the Baggies’ 10 men to stop.

Benteke’s critics will correctly point to his lack of goals. Some may even say he should have been sold a while ago. A new contract announcement in October 2019 was largely met with dismay.

But every so often, he provides glimpses of the outstanding Premier League forward that he once was. A striker as good at linking play who also scores 15 goals per season now costs well in excess of the £27 million Palace paid Liverpool for his services.

His performance at West Brom should provide a big confidence boost and a period of regular starts.

In a team that has not had this much creative potency during his time at the club, Benteke may never have a better opportunity to rekindle his best form.