Mateta's Goal Surge Puts Him Ahead in Palace Striker Race
Jean-Philippe Mateta is making a serious case to be Crystal Palace’s go-to striker again — and fans are noticing. After scoring twice against Newcastle off the bench, including one from open play and another from the spot, he’s now hit double digits in the Premier League for the third time in his career. That puts him in rare company at the club, alongside only Wilfried Zaha.
Rotation Pays Off Amid European Push
Oliver Glasner faced a tricky call ahead of Sunday’s match: rest key players for Thursday’s Conference League semi-final or chase points in a dead-rubber Premier League clash. He chose balance — making five changes, one forced by injury — and it worked out better than expected. Mateta, who started midweek in Florence due to suspension cover, came on fresh against a tiring Newcastle side and made an immediate impact.
His two goals weren’t just confidence boosters; they shifted the internal pecking order up front. Jorgen Strand Larsen, Palace’s record signing, has struggled to consistently deliver since arriving, while Mateta’s recent form — three goals in two games — gives Glasner a welcome headache.
Historic Company for a Modern Palace Star
With 59 career goals across all competitions, Mateta now ranks as the 16th-highest scorer in Crystal Palace history. More impressively, his latest brace means he’s joined an elite club within the club:
- Only Mateta and Zaha have scored 10+ Premier League goals in three separate seasons
- The club has recorded just 19 such individual top-flight campaigns since the First Division era
- Together, they account for nearly a third (31.5%) of those high-scoring seasons
That kind of consistency matters, especially when squad depth up front has been thin for much of the season. Earlier this year, Palace often had just one fit senior striker — now they’ve got two viable options, with Mateta looking sharper.
Fan Sentiment Shifts Rapidly
Mateta’s attempted January move to Serie A didn’t sit well with some supporters. There was talk he’d checked out, that his heart wasn’t in south London anymore. But football has a way of rewriting narratives fast.
Sunday’s performance — energetic, clinical, and visibly passionate — seemed to win back the “vocal majority” at Selhurst Park. Chants, applause, and visible relief from teammates suggested he’s not just back in the lineup, but back in favor.
Still, questions linger:
- Will Glasner stick with Mateta for the semi-final second leg?
- Can he maintain this level without fading late in matches?
- Does Strand Larsen get another chance if Mateta stumbles?
Key Takeaways
- Jean-Philippe Mateta has scored 3 goals in his last 2 appearances, reigniting his claim as Palace’s main striker
- His 10 Premier League goals this season mark the third time he’s hit double digits — a feat matched only by Wilfried Zaha in club history
- Oliver Glasner’s rotation strategy worked, giving Mateta minutes without overloading him before a crucial European tie
- Fan support appears to have swung back in Mateta’s favor after early-season doubts
- The striker competition is now genuinely open, adding tactical flexibility for Palace’s final stretch
Whether this surge is a late-season spark or the start of a new chapter remains to be seen. But right now, Mateta looks like the man for the big moments — and Palace might just need him to be.
— Editorial Team
