When one has played most of the season and only netted a paltry 2 goals ones confidence in front of goal is hardly on a high and this showed in his pathetic efforts which went wide.If Jermain Defoe had been in those positions it would have probably been a totally different outcome.But Benteke did flick on the ball to Zaha which led to the penalty.As someone has said, with our lack of options Hodgson had no option but to select Benteke.

Agreed,he would have been dropped weeks ago but no other options.Baffles me why we can’t produce our own soloth type players as there must be loads in lower leagues that we can take punts on .

Does anyone know when Sorloth is supposed to be fit?

Hodgson will never "Crucify" him in public and will be diplomatic if questions are steered in that direction.

As for poor depth of squad, it was hardly improved with the signings of Jach and Rakip !

No one can argue with the fact that Benteke is poor in front of goal. He kicks or heads the ball in whatever direction he faces. His hold up play is not great either. He is clumsy with the ball at his feet which again doesn’t say much for him as a striker. He is a big lad so likely to win balls in the air but he is more cart horse than race horse. He heads the ball in the direction he is facing and his flick ons similarly go wherever it’s easiest. Yesterday Zaha anticipated correctly on that one occasion but most other flick ons went nowhere in particular. Don’t think it’s lack of confidence so much as lack of ability.

Martinez is on Goals on Sunday and has just said Benteke had a good game yesterday and would score those chances 9 times out of 10! Apparently we haven’t created enough this season but he will score goals before the end. Happy days!