Oliver Glasner Hails Jean-Philippe Mateta's Redemption After Crystal Palace's Dramatic Comeback Victory
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed his delight at striker Jean-Philippe Mateta's match-winning performance against Newcastle United, stating the French forward deserves to be back in the good graces of Eagles supporters. Mateta, who upset fans by attempting to leave the club during the January transfer window, scored two crucial goals off the bench to secure a dramatic 2-1 victory for Palace at Selhurst Park.
Mateta's Failed Transfer and Path to Redemption
Jean-Philippe Mateta's relationship with Crystal Palace fans became strained earlier this year when he sought a move away from the club. A transfer to Italian giants AC Milan collapsed during his medical due to a knee injury, forcing him to remain in South London. However, Glasner emphasised that Mateta immediately committed to working hard for the team upon the deal's breakdown.
"As soon as it was clear that he had to stay at Crystal Palace, he said: 'OK, I will work very, very hard to come back and help the team win,' and to help us achieve all our goals," Glasner revealed. "This is what he has showed and he is now getting back to his top fitness."
Palace's Dramatic Turnaround Against Newcastle
The match itself was a tense affair, with Newcastle taking the lead just before half-time through William Osula, who bundled in Lewis Miley's cross. Palace struggled to create clear chances in the first half, but the introduction of Mateta from the bench changed the game's dynamics.
With ten minutes remaining, Mateta rose to head home an equaliser, setting up a frantic finale. Then, in the fourth minute of added time, he calmly converted a penalty after Sven Botman fouled Jefferson Lerma in the area, snatching all three points for the Eagles.
Glasner's Praise for Team Performance and Psychological Boost
Oliver Glasner was effusive in his praise, not only for Mateta but for the entire squad's effort. He highlighted the psychological significance of the victory, especially coming from behind against a tough opponent.
"For me, it was a massive performance today, not just regarding football, but also psychologically," Glasner stated. "I think it was a very tight first half, not many chances and then just one situation and they're 1-0 up straight before half-time. Today is a massive team win, and again a great impact from the bench."
The manager also commended the work rate of striker Jorgen Strand Larsen, whose efforts he believed fatigued the Newcastle defence and created space for Mateta's late heroics.
Newcastle's Frustration and Season-Long Struggles
For Newcastle United, the defeat extended a concerning trend this season. Manager Eddie Howe lamented his team's inability to hold onto leads, noting they have now dropped 25 points from winning positions in the Premier League.
"Those numbers are incredible, really, and it's blighted our season," Howe admitted. "The fact we haven't been able to not just consolidate really good passages of the game but go on and score more goals and continue to attack, I've said many times that's not the tactical instruction we give the players."
Howe pointed to defensive errors as the root cause, describing the first goal conceded as "self-inflicted, not good enough" and the penalty as an "individual error with very little time left in the game." He expressed disappointment at his team's vulnerability in the closing stages, despite the game having few clear chances overall.
Mateta's Continued Resurgence and Fan Relations
Jean-Philippe Mateta's brace against Newcastle follows his goal in Palace's Conference League quarter-final victory over Fiorentina just days earlier. This resurgence marks a significant turnaround for the striker, who is now visibly regaining top fitness and form.
Oliver Glasner hopes this performance will fully mend the relationship between Mateta and the Crystal Palace faithful. "I was delighted for him and I mentioned weeks ago that is what he deserves," Glasner said, underscoring the striker's commitment and hard work since the transfer window closed.
The victory provides a substantial boost for Palace's ambitions this season, showcasing their resilience and the impactful depth of their squad. For Newcastle, it raises further questions about their defensive solidity and game management as the campaign progresses.
