The second goal, when it came in the 72nd minute, was the icing on the cake. It was a classic Benteke goal, but with a twist. A deep cross from Joel Ward, and the big Belgian rose highest, a giant among men, powering a header towards goal.
The keeper, who had been excellent all night, made a brilliant, instinctive save, tipping the ball onto the bar. It looped up in the air, a tantalizing invitation. Benteke, reacting quicker than anyone, his back to goal, acrobatically, impossibly, hooked the ball over his own head and into the empty net.
2-0.
It was a moment of pure, unadulterated genius. A goal of such audacity, such technical brilliance, that all you could do was laugh. Benteke roared in celebration, pointing to the name on the back of his shirt. It was a statement. I'm still here. And I can still do this.
