Christian Benteke failed to mark his Crystal Palace debut with a goal against Blackpool in the second round of the EFL Cup this evening.
Alan Pardew brought the Belgium international to Selhurst Park to add firepower to his front line and Benteke had several opportunities to get off the mark for his new employers at the first time of asking.
But the 25-year-old wasted a glorious chance early on and also spurned a second chance before Scott Dann fired home to put the hosts in front.
Benteke relished Andros Townsend's delivery from wide areas yet was unable to convert any of the chances created for him prior to being substituted at half time.
Benteke admitted he was lacking match sharpness prior to tonight's encounter and Palace will be hopeful he has blown off the cobwebs ahead of Saturday's clash with Bournemouth.
The Eagles face Eddie Howe's aiming to end the unwanted record of being the only team in England's top flight yet to score a goal this season and the responsibility is likely to fall on Benteke's shoulders.
But Connor Wickham gave Palace's new No.17 a reminder that he is not guaranteed a starting berth as the Englishman needed just a matter of seconds to get on the scoresheet himself following Benteke's withdrawal.
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