Christian Benteke reveals half-time dressing down by Roy Hodgson led to improved second half against Chelsea

BY SAM SMITH

Crystal Palace showed more resilience after a half-time dressing down by Roy Hodgson and Ray Lewington in the Eagles’ 4-1 defeat against Chelsea, Christian Benteke believes.

The South Londoners were 3-0 down following a disastrous opening 30 minutes at Selhurst Park. Goals by Kai Havertz, Christian Pulisic and Kurt Zouma gave Palace little hope of a revival.

Benteke, who scored a consolation midway through the second half, revealed that manager Hodgson and assistant Lewington were clear in their displeasure over the performance.

It resulted in an improved display, although Pulisic restored Chelsea’s three-goal lead late on.

Benteke told Palace TV: “I think we gave them too much respect. When we play this kind of team we have to be [on the] front foot, we have to be a little bit up. I think by being so deep against these kind of players, the game became easier for them.

“In the dressing room, Ray and the manager said we have to be more brave, we have to be coming back with more character. I think that’s the – if I can take positives today – the second-half, obviously it’s 4-1, but they scored one goal, we scored one goal and we showed a little bit more resilience, a little bit more character.

“It [scoring] is a good feeling because I get the chance to play week in, week out. I’m happy to score but all I want is to help the team and today we didn’t really do our job, especially in the first-half.

“The second-half was much better and I think we have to take this positive. Now we have two weeks to work hard, to do our job and to get ready for Leicester.

“When you lose at home 4-1, it doesn’t matter even if it’s against a big team, we just want to bounce back. Now we’ve got 18 days I think left to speak, to work and we move on.”