Jean-Philippe Mateta applauded Tyrick Mitchell after he reached 200 appearances as a Crystal Palace player in a 2-1 comeback win over Newcastle United. Mateta bagged a brace as Oliver Glasner’s men prepared for the Europa Conference League second leg in superb fashion.
It looked as though Palace were headed for a defeat with 10 minutes left. William Osula gave the visitors the lead in the first half from close range.
Mateta came off the bench and headed home an equaliser in the 80th minute courtesy of Mitchell’s fine cross. Jefferson Lerma was then pulled to the ground in stoppage time and the Frenchman converted the resulting penalty in the 90+4th minute.
JP Mateta: Mitchell is a ‘Machine’
Mateta was awarded the Man of the Match award, but he admirably ensured to give it to Mitchell during a post-match interview with Sky Sports. He was asked about his teammate having reached 200 games for the Eagles:
“He’s my guy, I’ve been here with him for a few years now… He’s a fantastic teammate and a machine.”
Mitchell has been with Palace since his youth days when he arrived from Brentford in the summer of 2020. He broke through the youth ranks before becoming one of the club’s greatest full-backs and at 26 still has plenty of time to achieve more success.
The English left-back will be hoping to end Glasner’s reign with another major trophy after last season’s FA Cup triumph. His side have one step in the Conference League semi-finals following a 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the first leg of their quarter-final tie.
Mateta ‘Very Happy’ With Win
Mateta has enjoyed quite the week after returning to Glasner’s starting lineup for the Fiorentina game. He was finally back on the scoresheet for the first time since New Year’s Day, putting Palace in front from the penalty spot.
The Frenchman’s attempts to leave the club in January left a sour taste in fans’ mouths. But it’s fair to say that he has made amends this week and he was thrilled to play his part in the comeback win against Newcastle:
“I was very happy and we needed that win. We are happy at home aswell in front of our fans.”
Mateta started on the bench today as Glasner turned to Jorgen Strand Larsen to lead the line. But the French frontman’s display might just have convinced his manager to hand him the start in Florence.
