After a disastrous start to their Premier League campaign, every point is precious for Crystal Palace.
Though they did pick up one in their home draw with Bournemouth on Saturday afternoon, it could (and probably should) have been all three.
Having fallen behind to an early Jermain Defoe goal at Selhurst Park, Palace were briefly in the lead before half-time through goals from Luka Milivojevic and Scott Dann – only for Defoe to add a second in first-half stoppage time. 2-2.
This was how the game would finish, though Palace were presented with the perfect opportunity to win the game right at the very death when Charlie Daniels was ruled to have fouled Wilfried Zaha in his own area.
Now, given that Milivojevic had scored Palace’s equaliser from the penalty spot, it might have seemed obvious that the Serbian would step up for a second time. This, however, was not the case, with Christian Benteke – without a goal to his name this season – spotting the ball up.
You can guess what happened next. We’d love to show you, but Premier League broadcast rules mean we’re not permitted to.
Instead, allow these poor quality screengrabs to tell the story…
Up steps Benteke…
Asmir Begovic saves the penalty, which was straight down the middle…
And the ball is cleared by the Bournemouth defence…
Palace supporters (and plenty of other football fans) were asking the same question.
https://twitter.com/MarkRitson_TM/status/939539305546108928
https://twitter.com/stevebrookstein/status/939539476677844992
We have a fucking penalty taker why why why benteke!?????
— Neil Tuckey (@NTUCKEY41) December 9, 2017
I just do not get why Benteke took the penalty.
Can someone give me 1 good reason?
— Palace Eagles (@PalaceEagles_) December 9, 2017
I will never understand why Benteke argued that he should have taken that penalty after Luka had already scored one!!
— CPFC Supporters 🦅 (@CPFC_Supporters) December 9, 2017
WHY THE FUCK DID BENTEKE TAKE IT
— SITS (@standinthesun) December 9, 2017
Palace get (another) dodgy penalty… but why the hell did Benteke take it over Milivojevic?!? Horrid penalty. Milivojevic slammed one in earlier and is 4/4 with palace. Stunning. Paid for it.
— Thomas Dobby 🇺🇦 (@ThomasDobby) December 9, 2017
