Jean-Philippe Mateta, the Eagles’ striker, had a busy week last week, scoring a league cup hat-trick on Tuesday, being linked with a possible transfer window move away from SE25, and then delivering two assists in a 3-2 Premier League win over Wolves at home on Sunday.
The victory at Selhurst Park was courtesy of a double strike from fellow French forward Odsonne Edouard and a goal from Ebere Eze, and it moved Crystal Palace up to seventh in the rankings.
Not bad for the 26-year-old Mateta, who came on as a 71st-minute substitute and had previously only supplied one Premier League assist in the 2021/22 season.
“It’s always nice to win while also making a difference.” I’m content. “I’m overjoyed,” Mateta stated after the victory.
“When we win, I love it; when we score, I love it.” I have a lot of celebrations. I’m thrilled when we score, when we win, when we get three points. It’s always a nice thing.
“This is my best week yet because I work so hard and believe I deserve it.”
“[In training], we’ve been doing work – combinations in front of the goal.” It’s been difficult job.”
Mateta’s two assists were especially clever, with his second a backheel on the edge of the box, but it was his first, to Eze inside the box, that was extremely deft, coming off his back.
When asked if he meant the unorthodox assist, Mateta replied, “Of course.” “The first time with my back for Ebs went well. I saw him come in behind me and touched it with my back; he scored with a nice finish.
“Every day, I enjoy playing with him (Eze),” he continued. “It’s always a good thing to play with the big boys – big boys with good quality, international players.”
During the transfer window, Palace turned down two bids from RB Leipzig.
And was there any chance he’d depart the club?
“No, I’m with Palace,” he clarified.
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