MX23RW : Friday, March 29 11:13:26| >> :120:16077:16077:

Roy Hodgson backs Christian Benteke to keep scoring goals for Crystal Palace

Roy Hodgson backs Christian Benteke to keep scoring goals for Crystal Palace
© Reuters
Two goals last weekend have boosted the Belgian striker.

Crystal Palace boss Roy Hodgson hopes Christian Benteke can use his two goals against West Brom last week as a launchpad for a consistent run of scoring.

The Belgian striker ended an eight-game scoring drought with a double in the 5-1 romp over the Baggies and he is likely to lead the line again when Tottenham visit on Sunday.

Hodgson says Benteke has always been good in training and hopes everyone can again see the best of him.

"He has been good all along, his training performances have always been professional, he always comes to training to give his best even when things weren't going as well as they are currently with his two goals," Hodgson said.

"We are delighted for him to get that little bit of success, we hope now he is going to build on it.

"He has been very good, it would be nice if every comment about Benteke wasn't prefaced with the fact he had played so many games without a goal, it would be nice to say Benteke is doing well with that preface.

"I can't change that, he can't change that, what he is doing now is what matters.

"What he did in training led me to wanting to put him back in the team and him taking his chances against West Brom is all positive news.

"He is a quality centre-forward with a lot of strings to his bow so it was great last Sunday that he was able to show the world that."

Palace are likely to find it tougher when Jose Mourinho brings his side to Selhurst Park on Sunday where a win is likely to ensure they remain at the top of the standings.

Mourinho has been at pains to say Spurs are not title challengers, despite their lofty position, and Hodgson cannot blame his colleague.

"At the moment after 11 games there are a lot of serious contenders, they have all got to fancy their chances that if luck goes there way and they can get momentum then it could be their year," the 73-year-old added.

"If I was in Jose's position I would still be looking at Liverpool and Manchester City as two very strong nuts to crack, Chelsea are also doing well, there is a lot of teams sticking their noses in and I can understand why managers are reluctant to make any statements that this is their year."

ID:426083: cacheID:426083:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:3642:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reacts as Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola looks on on January 29, 2020
Read Next:
Premier League gameweek 12 predictions including Manchester United vs. Man City
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!