With 30 minutes to play, it appeared that Sunderland were heading for their first Premier League victory against Crystal Palace.
Jermaine Defoe reacted to a poor Joe Ledley backpass and put Sunderland in the lead. He then added a second on the hour mark with a half-volley, but then things turned sour for the Black Cats after the striker's second goal.
Just one minute later, Ledley redeemed his earlier mistake with a goal for the Eagles, albeit with the help of a deflection.
Palace gained momentum and scored an equaliser through a header from James McArthur on 76 minutes.
Benteke then made it a miserable afternoon for David Moyes when he headed in from close range from a free-kick, leaving the Black Cats bottom of the Premier League.