Saturday 15 October 2016 22:01, UK
Alan Pardew admitted Christian Benteke's penalty miss was crucial after Crystal Palace crashed to a 1-0 home defeat to struggling West Ham.
The Belgium striker ended a dream week with a nightmare blunder from the spot as Manuel Lanzini's goal secured victory for the 10-man Hammers.
Benteke began the week by scoring the fastest goal in World Cup qualifying history on his way to a hat-trick against Gibraltar, and three days later celebrated the birth of his daughter.
But when handed the opportunity to cap a remarkable seven days by cancelling out Lanzini's strike to earn Palace a point, Benteke scooped his spot-kick horribly off target.
"I think it's a crucial moment," said Eagles boss Pardew. "I was expecting him to score after the week he's had."
The blame for Palace's defeat cannot be laid entirely at Benteke's door, although he also hit a post with one header and planted another over the crossbar.
Pardew was equally unimpressed with Palace's sluggish start as they handed the initiative to a West Ham team who kicked off second from bottom, without a win in five matches.
They took the lead in the 19th minute when Aaron Cresswell fizzed in a precise, low cross which Lanzini gobbled up at the near post for what proved to be the winner.
"It's a derby and I expect more aggression and more brightness in that first 20 minutes, and that was a crucial part of the game," added Pardew.
"We knew West Ham had been on a bad run but and we gave them a bit of a gee up with that goal. We missed the boat.
"West Ham have been criticised for their defending this season - but believe me they defended very well out there."
