Phil Neville labels Christian Benteke a 'disgrace' for claiming last minute penalty against Bournemouth over usual taker Luka Milivojevic

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Christian Benteke is a 'disgrace' for breaking protocol and claiming Crystal Palace's last minute penalty against Bournemouth, according to pundit Phil Neville.

Crystal Palace were entering the dying moments of contest deadlocked with the Cherries at 2-2 when Wilfried Zaha went down in the area and won a penalty.

It was a vital breakthrough for Roy Hodgson's side, who need all the points they can possibly get following a miserable start to the Premier League season.

Pundit Phil Neville has branded Christian Benteke a 'disgrace' for claiming the late penalty

Despite usual penalty taker Luka Milivojevic - who had already scored a spot kick earlier in the same game - still being on the field, Benteke took the task upon himself.

Immediate unrest could be seen among the Palace players, with defender James Tomkins visibly angry at Benteke's actions before the penalty had even been hit.

Former Liverpool man Benteke completely botched the effort, hitting a tame strike straight down the middle to be saved with ease by goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and in doing so squandering all chance of a vital three points.

Reflecting on the game in the Match of the Day Studio, Neville didn't mince his words when it came to a verdict on Benteke's actions. 

Luka Milivojevic (number 4) had already scored a penalty and called over to Benteke

The Serbian then went over to speak to Benteke but the striker was adamant he was taking it

Milivojevic walks away as Benteke places the ball down for the crucial, last-gasp spot kick

'This for me is an absolute disgrace. Milivojevic has already scored a penalty, Christian Benteke is not the greatest penalty taker — there is no way in the world he should be taking this penalty,' said the former Manchester United and Everton man.

'Milivojevic has got to be a bit stronger; he's broke protocol. 

'If they're 3-0 up in the game and the centre forward hasn't scored you maybe say "yeah, let's give him the penalty", but this is the last minute of the game for his team maybe to get out of the bottom three. 

'It's disgraceful from Benteke, a man of his experience. It is the worst penalty I've ever seen. 

The resulting crucial penalty was a tame one, sent straight down the middle by the Belgian

Even manager Roy Hodgson later admitted Benteke had gone against club procedure

'He deserved it for his attitude and his selfishness. He's let his team-mates down, his supporters down and his manager down,' Neville concluded.

The resulting stalemate means Palace remain rooted to the bottom of the table with 11 points.

Victory would have placed them level with West Ham and West Brom on 13 points, despite the Hammers shock win over Antonio Conte's Chelsea.