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Christian Benteke
Christian Benteke celebrates scoring his first for Crystal Palace in their 2-1 win against Bolton Wanderers. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters
Christian Benteke celebrates scoring his first for Crystal Palace in their 2-1 win against Bolton Wanderers. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Reuters

Christian Benteke double inspires Crystal Palace win against Bolton

This article is more than 7 years old

Such was the relief which swept around the smattering of local supporters at the final whistle it was tempting to suggest that, for all the exploits of Sutton United and Lincoln City, the real surprise from the night’s FA Cup replays had actually been witnessed in this freezing corner of south-east London.

Crystal Palace have found victories so hard to come by in dire recent times that even a slender success over League One opposition is to be cherished. Indeed, with an impressive Bolton Wanderers side having led and later threatened to force extra-time, with Zach Clough poking just wide of a post, there was even a little instinctive punch of the air offered up by Sam Allardyce at the full‑time whistle. Manchester City will hardly be quaking in their boots at the prospect of visiting in the fourth round, but that is a concern for another day.

FA Cup fourth round draw

• Blackburn Rovers v Blackpool

• Burnley v Bristol City

• Chelsea v Brentford

• Crystal Palace v Manchester City

• Derby County v Leicester City

• Fulham v Hull City

• Lincoln City v Brighton & Hove Albion

• Liverpool v Wolves

• Manchester United v Wigan Athletic

• Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley

• Millwall v Watford

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Oxford United v Newcastle United

• Rochdale v Huddersfield Town

• Sutton United v Leeds United

• Tottenham Hotspur v Wycombe Wanderers

Ties to be played 27-29 January

The last time Allardyce had overseen a victory was in Slovakia with England in happier times, back in early September. “It has been a while for me,” he offered, before tempering any outward sense of glee with warnings that this team must still be more ruthless, must defend better, must believe in themselves more, “and, well, just play better”. Such is the state of fragility around Palace at present that stripping this squad back to basics, adding steel and quality where he can in the market, is the only way they will survive. A first win in six games under his stewardship, and only a second in 17 over a campaign that has long carried the stench of under-achievement, must prove to be a start.

It was not achieved with ease. Bolton, with an experienced core at the heart of their defence and the spritely energy of Jay Spearing, Josh Vela and Clough posing a threat, forced the home side to call in the cavalry just after an hour with all the familiar anxiety flaring in home ranks. James Henry’s first-time cross-shot, whipped left-footed to loop over Julian Speroni from Gary Madine’s knockdown, had put the visitors ahead. For a brief period after that goal, Palace’s players wore the look of condemned men, shuffling round the turf with no conviction that the tie could be retrieved.

Allardyce was sufficiently alarmed to fling on Christian Benteke, with the Belgian duly seizing an opportunity to impose his quality on the occasion. It was his thumped header from Mathieu Flamini’s delicious cross which put the hosts level, the forward attacking his leap with glee where Premier League defenders do not afford him such space. His 10th goal of the season followed nine minutes later, Benteke collecting Andros Townsend’s cross with his back to goal, then spinning instinctively and placing his shot beyond Ben Alnwick and those Bolton players seeking to block the attempt.

Benteke remains an asset most of the clubs scrapping at the foot of the Premier League would crave to have as their own, and those first goals after six scoreless games might pep his form for the visit of Everton on Saturday. By then, Allardyce will hope to have added to his ranks. Carl Jenkinson is close to a £7m move from Arsenal, while there is interest in the Montpellier centre-half, William Rémy.

“We are trying and spreading our wings far and wide,” said Allardyce, who will hold further talks with his chairman, Steve Parish, on Wednesday. “Hopefully, in the next 48 hours, at least one of those targets will say yes and sign on. I know we’ve had five or six or eight bids in for players, across Europe as well as in this country, and only had the offer for Jeffrey Schlupp accepted so far.”

Bolton, under a transfer embargo of sorts, will also seek to do business in the loan market over what remains of the window and their performances in this tie bode well for their attempt to scramble from the third tier. There is a fine blend of experience and youthful energy in their ranks. Allardyce is still seeking his own balance but, for now, at least he has a victory to savour. It has been a long time coming.

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