Wednesday 24 August 2016 12:09, UK
Alan Pardew was encouraged by club record signing Christian Benteke's Crystal Palace debut despite replacing him at half-time.
The Belgian striker started the 2-0 EFL Cup win over Blackpool at Selhurst Park but was substituted for Connor Wickham - the scorer of Palace's clinching goal - at the break.
Benteke scored nine times in 29 Premier League outings for old club Liverpool last season but made more appearances off the bench and was not a regular starter under Jurgen Klopp.
Pardew is keen to see the 25-year-old recapture the form which resulted in his move to Anfield, when he scored 49 goals in three seasons with Aston Villa.
He told Palace's official website: "I thought he showed flashes of why we spent a club record fee on him.
"He hasn't had a lot of match action and even though we were on the side of a caution with him, he looks really good.
"I want Christian to get to the level where he was prior to Liverpool. He didn't play enough there, but he'll get a flow of games here."
Palace's victory was a welcome one following their opening Premier League losses against West Brom and Tottenham.
They brought Yohan Cabaye and James McArthur back into their starting line-up and Pardew is optimistic they can make a difference in the games ahead, starting against Bournemouth this weekend.
He added: "We've known in the first two games we have been missing players and it is nice to see them back.
"It has been a good night for us, we've come through it and we can set ourselves up now for the game at the weekend."
