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Tag: Mateta

  • EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    EPL: Mateta hat-trick grabs Palace draw with Bournemouth

    Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, as Crystal Palace fought back from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth in a six-goal thriller at Selhurst Park.

    In an incredible finish, Mateta completed his treble in the 97th minute after Marc Guehi had been wrestled to the ground by Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite as a left-wing corner was being taken.

    There was still time for further drama but Mateta, who has now scored seven goals for the Eagles this season, blazed a potentially match-winning chance over the bar in the ninth minute of stoppage time.

    Teenage striker Eli Kroupi, 19, had earlier scored twice on his first Premier League start as Bournemouth were on course for a victory that would have taken them temporarily top of the table.

    Mateta scored twice in a five-minute spell to make it 2-2, before Ryan Christie restored Bournemouth’s lead in the 89th minute, but it was not enough for the victory.

    Read Also: EPL: Mateta strikes late as Palace deny Chelsea victory

    It continued a great spell in Mateta’s career as he made his France debut on 10 October against Azerbaijan and then scored his first international goal three days later in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

    Palace are now eighth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth are fourth.

    The Cherries would have moved top with the three points, though they would have then been ousted if Arsenal, who began the day top, avoided defeat in their late game at Fulham.

    BBC

  • EPL: Mateta strikes late as Palace deny Chelsea victory

    EPL: Mateta strikes late as Palace deny Chelsea victory

    Chelsea’s winless Premier League run has been extended to four games after Jean-Philippe Mateta struck late to salvage a draw for Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park.

    The Blues ended 2024 in disappointing fashion – losing successive matches and failing to win in three – and that problematic form has been carried over into 2025.

    Cole Palmer got Chelsea off to the perfect start after 14 minutes, scoring his 13th goal in the league after some fine work from Jadon Sancho.

    Chelsea pressed for further goals but Nicolas Jackson spurned three chances while Sancho, Moises Caicedo and Josh Acheampong shot wide.

    Palace did not muster an effort on target until the 35th minute with Jefferson Lerma’s shot comfortably collected by goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

    Despite dominating throughout the first half, Chelsea were almost made to pay for their inability to grab a second when Eberechi Eze shot narrowly wide shortly after the restart.

    Read Also: EPL: Jean-Philippe Mateta scores crucial winner for Crystal Palace against Tottenham

    That was a sign that the game would become more evenly fought with Palace starting to ask questions of a stuttering Chelsea.

    The Blues still had further chances to shut out their opponents, however Jackson, Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez all fired wide.

    Palace got the equaliser with just under 10 minutes to play when Mateta met Eze’s square ball to tap in from a couple of yards.

    The Eagles are now unbeaten in three league games and sit 15th, while Chelsea stay fourth.

  • Crystal Palace may replace Mateta with Iheanacho 

    Crystal Palace may replace Mateta with Iheanacho 

    Crystal Palace will make a move for Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho should Jean-Philippe Mateta leave this summer.

    Iheanacho, 26, is deemed important to relegated Leicester’s bid to return to the Premier League but Roy Hodgson has made him one of his top transfer targets.

    The Foxes do not want to lose Iheanacho, but Palace know he will be available on a cut-price deal with his contract set to expire next summer.

    Hodgson is desperate to add goals to his frontline after club legend Wilfried Zaha departed for Galatasaray, and knows Mateta is ready to explore a move away with both Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig interested.

    Read Also: Guardiola to miss two Man City games after back surgery

    Leipzig have had two offers rejected, the first a loan bid and then a £7million offer to sign Mateta permanently. Matata failed to make Palace’s squad for the 1-0 defeat at home to Arsenal on Monday night.

    Hodgson is also keen to sign a new goalkeeper after a falling out with long-time no1 Vicente Guaita.

    The 36-year-old is accused of “refusing to play” by Hodgson but sources close to the player deny this version of events. Manchester United’s Dean Henderson and Leicester’s Daniel Iversen are both considered options.