Crystal Palace came from 2-0 down to beat Sunderland 3-2 yesterday.
Martin Keown has told Match of the Day, which was broadcast on 24th September, that he cannot believe how Sunderland defended Crystal Palace’s late free-kick, which Christian Benteke scored from, yesterday.
Sunderland deployed a zonal marking system to try and fend off a late Palace set-piece, but in doing so they left Christian Benteke room to get a run on their defenders.
It was a huge error, as Benteke climbed highest to meet the cross and head the ball beyond Jordan Pickford to secure the three points for his side.
And Keown said: “I cannot believe it. He [Benteke] has got nine yards, and he’s one of the best headers ever in the Premier League. They have given him that kind of distance in the 94th minute! Unbelievable!”
Sunderland had been 2-0 up in the contest, before Palace staged a comeback in the last half hour.
The Black Cats’ defensive vulnerabilities were once again shown up in the contest, with Patrick Van Aanholt struggling badly.
“Van Aanholt has to come and win this [the long ball] and then he just dangles a cross at this. This really is poor defending,” Keown said, when analysing Palace’s first goal in the match.
“On the second goal, he should put his head on it and fill in as a full-back, but he just waves a foot at it.”
Sunderland are still looking for their first win of the season, and Davdi Moyes is already under pressure.
The Black Cats are currently sat at the bottom of the Premier League table, with just one point from their first six matches.
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