Christian Benteke can’t stop scoring at the moment. A sentence that perhaps seemed unthinkable just a year ago.
The Crystal Palace striker scored in his third straight game in his side’s incredible 3-2 win against Aston Villa.
Christian Benteke scored his 31st headed goal in the Premier League, joining the top-10 all-time list[/caption]
Palace had to come from behind twice at Selhurst Park before grabbing a winner late on through Tyrick Mitchell.
Benteke also now has 31 headed goals in the Premier League, joining an the top-10 all-time list – equal with Tim Cahill.
It was Palace who found themselves behind with John McGinn’s third goal of the season giving Aston Villa the lead after 17 minutes at Selhurst Park.
John McGinn had put Aston Villa ahead early in the first half[/caption]
The visitors had made the better start in the capital and deservedly went ahead when McGinn curled into the bottom corner from outside the area after a Cahill clearance.
Butland had earlier made a fine save to deny a stinging drive from Watkins, but failed to stop the side-footed effort by the Scottish international from 22 yards.
Crystal Palace responded well to going behind and levelled with 32 minutes played through the in-form Christian Benteke.
Most headed goal in Premier League history
53 – Peter Crouch
46 – Alan Shearer
45 – Dion Dublin
40 – Les Ferdinand
38 – Dwight Yorke
36 – Duncan Ferguson
36 – Teddy Sheringham
32 – Olivier Giroud
31 – Tim Cahill
31 – Christian Benteke
Fresh from scoring at Sheffield United and Southampton, the Belgian was on target once more, this time against his old club.
After Wilfried Zaha had a shot blocked, Tyrick Mitchell was first to the loose ball and chipped into the penalty area where Benteke cushioned a header into the far corner to make it 1-1.
Anwar El Ghazi put Aston Villa ahead for the second time[/caption]
Parity was a short-lived for the hosts, however, with Anwar El Ghazi firing in two minutes later to put the away side back in front.
Villa forward Watkins beat Cahill in the air and his header was perfect for El Ghazi, who drilled home from close range.
Palace produced a second equaliser in the 76th minute when Zaha grabbed his 11th goal of the season.
Wilfried Zaha brought Palace back level, perhaps fortuitously as his effort deflected in[/caption]
Moments after a switch to a 4-4-2, Eze passed into the path of the Eagles top goalscorer and he cut inside before a low shot was deflected in off Ahmed Elmohamady.
It was Zaha’s 11th goal of the campaign, which set a new personal best for the Ivory Coast international and ensured the clash at Selhurst Park was back to all square again.
A first ever professional goal from Mitchell looked to have won Palace the game with six minutes left.
Zaha initially did well on the right and after his cutback was only partially cleared, Eze’s effort into the ground was bundled in by the young left-back.
It hit Mitchell on the shoulder from close range with Martinez out of position and put the Eagles 3-2 ahead late on at Selhurst Park.
Mitchell (21 years 257 days) is also the youngest Crystal Palace player to score in the Premier League since Clinton Morrison (18 years 361 days) back in 1998.