Christian Benteke has wasted little time in making his presence felt at Crystal Palace, with the forward encouraging Wilfried Zaha to abandon thoughts of leaving the club before informing Yohan Cabaye that he intends to assume responsibility for taking penalties in future. Benteke’s stance on both issues is understandable, and in particular his desire to see Zaha remain at Selhurst Park. The Belgium forward was persuaded to make a £27 million move from Liverpool to Palace largely because of the way Alan Pardew aims to set up his team with an emphasis on service from the flanks. Little wonder, then, that Benteke should be concerned when Zaha informed Pardew last week he was aware of interest from Tottenham Hotspur and would like to leave.

Steve