It was a bittersweet weekend for Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew after a “galling” defeat at Tottenham Hotspur was off-set by the capture of striker Christian Benteke.

Victor Wanyama scored the only goal of the game at White Hart Lane on Saturday, where a 1-0 defeat left Palace without a point or a goal from the opening two games of the Premier League season.

However, the Eagles have addressed the goal drought by signing Liverpool striker Benteke for a club record £27m.

Pardew said: “It's great news for us, a big signing for the club and he is a good character and an iconic figurehead for us.

“We lack goals and some firepower and I would think Christian's arrival will enhance every player within the squad.

"The board have been tremendously supportive in knowing that we've got to address the issue, we're not scoring enough goals.

"It was evident at the back end of last year, and it's evident in the first two games.

"People are talking about our run in this calendar year, but that's what we're addressing.”

He added: "There's one thing that's always impressed me about him, he gets the sort of goals you would expect, but now and then he just pulls a rabbit out of the hat with a goal."

After the Spurs defeat, which leaves Palace bottom of the fledgling table, Pardew said: “We had to make a substitution at a corner, and Sod's Law, it's the one that goes in.

“Our effort and endeavour was there to see - we matched Spurs all the way.

"We have not scored a goal yet, but I cannot fault my players. We have lost on two set plays - we are a strong set play side and we will work on it and make sure it does not happen again.”

He added: "Benteke's going to give our fans and us belief. Our players are coming back slowly but surely, but it was galling today. We need one or two more players, but we are not far away."

Palace are back in action on Tuesday night when they entertain Blackpool in the EFL Cup, before a return to the business of the Premier League on Saturday at home to AFC Bournemouth.