Christian Benteke says Crystal Palace were 'humiliated' by Sunderland

Christian Benteke has urged Crystal Palace to show character in their relegation battle following a "humiliating" defeat to Sunderland.

Palace boss Sam Allardyce called a 7am meeting on Sunday after his side lost 4-0 at home to the Premier League's bottom club, having conceded three goals in five minutes before half-time.

The result has left Palace, who travel to Stoke on Saturday, in 19th place and two points from safety, with just one league win since Allardyce replaced Alan Pardew in December.

After the Sunderland game, Palace chairman Steve Parish addressed the players, who were called in by Allardyce the next morning to run through their first-half performance.

"The chairman said we have to take responsibility and it's not every time about the manager or about the system," Benteke told Soccer Saturday.

"It's about ourselves and we have to take responsibility on the pitch and try to do our best.

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"You feel humiliated when you lose 4-0 at home in a game against a rival team because of the situation.

"Now we have to move on and I think we are all angry - the players, the staff, the fans - and the only answer we can give to them is to win tomorrow."

Benteke also revealed senior players organised a players-only discussion after the video analysis session with Allardyce.

"[We had a meeting first] with the manager," he added. "We watched our first half and then [we had a meeting] just between the players.

"These kind of meetings are good because everyone can say what they feel. Sometimes I say something to another player and maybe they take it in a bad way.

"But in this kind of meeting it's good because everyone can express themselves and say what they feel."

A Crystal Palace fan was arrested after confronting Damien Delaney at half-time in the 4-0 defeat, with Palace players also subjected to chants of 'You're not fit to wear the shirt'.

Benteke said the players understand and accept criticism from supporters, adding only a victory against Stoke will help turn things around.

"We are professionals," the Belgium international continued. "We have to accept what is happening around the stadium because obviously they are frustrated and they can't control like we can control our emotions.

"It's sad to see that but we have to do everything we can to win and to put a better atmosphere.

"The Premier League you have to play game-by-game and I think we were maybe too relaxed after the win against Bournemouth because we didn't win for a long time.

"I have been in this situation when I was at Aston Villa and it wasn't easy but I think we have a great squad with a lot of experience so we can face this situation.

"We have to show character and determination to win this game tomorrow."

Watch the full interview with Christian Benteke on Soccer Saturday on Sky Sports News HQ from 12pm