If every match were for a cup trophy, Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace side would be in far better shape than they are entering Saturday's contest against Bournemouth in a matchup of the current bottom two teams in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. The selling of Yannick Bolasie to Everton has contributed to a slow start in league play that Pardew is hoping isn't a hangover of last season's form from Boxing Day to now. Record signing Christian Benteke made his debut in Tuesday's 2-0 League Cup victory over Blackpool as Palace advanced to play at Southampton in the third round next month. More...