Jean-Philippe Mateta was released from the hospital after receiving 25 stitches for a “severe laceration” on his left ear, according to Crystal Palace.

The Eagles easily defeated Millwall 3-1 on Saturday to go to the FA Cup quarterfinals, but Mateta’s terrible injury in the eighth minute has cast a shadow on the match at Selhurst Park.

After a devastating contact with Millwall’s Liam Roberts on the edge of the visitors’ penalty box, Mateta lay motionless on the grass, and play was initially permitted to continue.

After the video assistant referee sent Roberts to the pitch-side monitor, referee Michael Oliver wasted little time in issuing him a straight card.

Replays showed the goalie clattering his left boot into Mateta’s head.

For around eight minutes, the fifth-round match was halted while Mateta was attended to by Palace’s medical personnel.

The 27-year-old forward was given oxygen to aid with his breathing as he was brought off the field on a stretcher.

The Frenchman needed “specialist treatment” for a gory wound in his left ear after Mateta was quickly transported to the hospital for more examinations.

Palace stated in a statement on Saturday night, “We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has been discharged from St George’s Hospital this evening where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear.”

JP is doing well, and all scans came back clear. He will now relax and recover over the next few days, and our club doctor will keep an eye on his development.

“We appreciate the assistance and professionalism of the medical staff at Selhurst Park and the hospital, as well as the well wishes and support that JP and the club have received today.”

At the half, Palace chairman Steve Parish told BBC Sport that Roberts’ challenge was the most “reckless” he had ever seen in football. “I’ve watched football all my life, and I’ve never seen a challenge like this.” “I checked the keeper’s age and he’s thirty years old,” Paris told Kelly Somers of the BBC.

I believe that was the most careless challenge I have ever witnessed on a football field.

That boy needs to take a serious look at himself since he is putting a fellow professional in danger—possibly even his life.

We are concerned about JP, therefore it’s hard for me to discuss the rest of the game because it’s such a horrible, awful challenge.

They must treat one another like experts because they are all professionals in the field. That goalie hasn’t had a duty of care, and they do.

With JP in the hospital, it’s hard for me to focus about anything else. It’s a terrible challenge, and I have no understanding why the referee has go to the screen.

He is a person, so let’s not forget about a football player who has a unique difficulty. God knows what harm has been done to someone if you kick them in the head with all your might.

As Mateta lay in a heap on the turf at Selhurst Park, Millwall’s away supporters were heard yelling, “Let him die.” This led to widespread condemnation.

Nonetheless, it is believed that the chanting did not violate any FA rules, and the Championship team is anticipated to get away with it.

However, Millwall may be the subject of an investigation due to homophobic taunts aimed at Palace left-back Ben Chilwell during the game.

After Manchester United’s match against Fulham this afternoon, Palace will find out who they will face in the quarterfinal draw for the next round of the cup.

 

 

 

 

Four things we learnt from Palace’s demolition of Aston Villa

 

Oliver Glasner’s Crystal Palace side have one of the best records in the league when it comes to their away form, at home however it is a totally different story.

 

Before the game with Aston Villa the Eagles had only won twice at Selhurst Park in the league this season. This was all about to change however as Glasner’s side lead by an in form Ismailia Sarr overcome Villa by four goals to one.

 

After a dull first half hour Sarr put Palace into the lead when he reacted quickest to Emi Martinez’s save before Morgan Rodgers had a goal disallowed for offside shortly after.

 

Rodgers found the net again in the second half and this time it counted after half time substitute Robin Olsen’s long ball forward was flicked on by Ollie Watkins for Rodgers to finish.

 

This only spurred Palace on though as seven minutes later top scorer Jean-Phillipe Mateta made it 2-1. Sarr then grabbed his second of the night after he finished off superbly from a Daniel Munoz cross.

 

The night ended sweetly for Palace when Eddie Nketiah grabbed his first goal in red and blue in the Premier League as the ball came across the box from Tyrick Mitchell.

 

The win for Palace gives them slight hope again of European football, but if that it to come to fruition they need to find consistency at home.

 

 

It says a lot about a player who doesn’t record a goal nor assist in a 4-1 win when his teammate scored a brace yet he still wins the man of the match award.

 

Well this player was Adam Wharton. The 21-year-old made his first start in the league since October after undergoing groin surgery and it looked like he’d not missed a minute.

 

Everything the midfielder did was on point, from his press alongside Will Hughes to his ability to find passes no body else knew were possible. His vision is something this Palace team have missed ever since he picked up his injury.

 

There isn’t any other Palace player who can move the ball forward quite like Wharton, not only with the accuracy in which he does but the speed he does it in.

 

While he did not have a direct impact on any goal he did impact three of the four. The first being his ball into the box for Chris Richards to head towards goal for Sarr, followed by his first time pass forward into Ebere Eze for Mateta’s goal.

 

He then played a part in Palace’s third with a delicate touch on his chest to set up Munoz to cross to Sarr. It was a brilliant display from the England international and a taste of what’s to come for the rest of the season.

 

The upturn in form for Mateta since the arrival of Glasner has been remarkable. Since February 2024, which is when Glasner joined Palace, the Frenchman has scored 29 goals, level with Mohamed Salah and three behind Erling Haaland.

 

It is not just his goal scoring record that catches the eye however, his all round game under the Austrian manager has come on leaps and bounds.

 

The striker is a nightmare for any defender, standing at 6’4 and being pretty well built, when he is one on one with a defender he comes out on top more often than not.

 

He links play superbly with Eze and Sarr in the front three and is an outlet for the midfield two when they are under pressure. Yes, his goals are vital to Palace but his all round play is arguably just as important.

 

If Mateta is to have any sort of run to the end of the season like last campaign then it would not be a surprise if Palace have top clubs who are looking for a striker come knocking on their door this summer.

 

A happy Sarr is a good Sarr

Ismailia Sarr had been a long standing target for Crystal Palace way back in his days at Rennes before his move to Watford. Having played in the Premier League before with the Hornets Sarr never really set the world alight like he would’ve liked to.

 

There had been interest from Liverpool and Manchester United at times when he was on form but constancy was always his issue.

 

Now at Palace Sarr seems to have both his quality which he undoubtably possess as well as a level of consistency in his game. The winger has already scored more goals in the league than either of his other two seasons and has match his total in both of these when it comes to goal contributions.

 

Many have said before that the key to getting the best out of the Senegalese international is to make him feel loved and wanted. He is a shy character who goes about his business with little to no fuss and when he is in a good mood and happy you see the best of him.

 

Palace is the perfect environment for Sarr, the dressing room he has around him as well as a coach who believes in him and gets the best out of him, there is no reason why he can’t go on to fulfil his potential now in SE25.

 

Nketiah in the goals

It was a long tome coming but finally Eddie Nketiah scored his first goal for Palace in the Premier League.

 

It had been a tough start for the former Arsenal man, coming into a team which had been broken up in the summer and added many new faces as well as having a slow start to the season.

 

The striker was also forced out of position in the early months of the campaign to fulfil the role left by Michael Olise. He then lost his place to Sarr who was much better suited to the role.

 

Since then Nektiah has had to settle with a roll on the bench for Palace with Mateta being in such good form. Only managing cameo appearances from the bench with little time remaining in games.

 

His goal on Tuesday reminded us all of what he is all about however, a real poachers finish in the box. It will be a huge boost of confidence for Nketiah to score and hopefully a weight lifted off his shoulders for the remainder of the season.

 

 

 

 

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner after the Premier League match at Craven Cottage, London.

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner explained that Adam Wharton could start against Aston Villa on Tuesday.

 

The 21-year-old replaced Jefferson Lerma in the 81st minute of Saturday’s 2-0 win over Fulham.

 

Since returning from his long-term groin injury earlier this month, Wharton’s sole start came against Doncaster in the FA Cup, with the Englishman waiting to get the nod in the Premier League.

 

Alongside his brief cameo against Fulham, the midfielder managed 45 minutes against Everton last week when introduced as a half time substitution.

 

 

 

However, a return to the eleven might arrive against Aston Villa, with Glasner divulging that Jefferson Lerma grappled with a hamstring niggle in the week leading up to the Fulham victory.

 

“It is the first time he [Wharton] has been fit since the final of the Euros,” said Glasner. “It is important to manage the minutes in the best way.

 

 

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“With Cheick Doucoure out for the season, it is good to have Adam here.

 

“Jefferson Lerma had to come off because he was struggling with his hamstring during the week. It could be that he [Wharton] starts on Tuesday.”

 

.

 

They sit 12th in the Premier League, level on points with 13th placed Crystal Palace, who lost 2-1 to Everton over the weekend. They are set to battle Spurs for a highly-rated Championship midfielder.

 

Tottenham and Palace set to bid for Jobe Bellingham

Jobe Bellingham – who is the brother of England and Real Madrid star Jude – has impressed in the Championship this season for Sunderland, making 29 appearances, with four goals and three assists. He has helped Regis Le Bris’ side to fourth in the league after 33 games.

 

In the January transfer window, reports emerged linking Bellingham to several Premier League clubs including Tottenham, Palace and Arsenal, suggesting that the trio could make a move for him in the summer transfer window. Former Tottenham scout Mick Brown believes that Sunderland will listen to offers for the 19-year-old, and that if a big enough bid is made, the likes of Spurs could sign him in summer.

 

He told Football Insider: “I think Sunderland would let him go if they got a good price for him. Especially if they don’t get promoted this season, they’re going to listen to offers.

 

 

 

“Crystal Palace and Tottenham have had scouts watching him this season so they’ll be two of the teams in the running if he is going to leave. So it’ll be up to them to assess whether he’s ready to make that jump. From a Sunderland point of view, knowing the way the owners want to operate, I think if they get a huge bid for him then they’ll let him go.”

 

Sunderland are believed to value Bellingham at around the £30m mark, but come the end of the season, the Black Cats could place a much bigger price tag on him – should they get promoted.

 

How would Bellingham fit at Tottenham or Palace?

Spurs’ mantra when signing players over the past few years, is to develop them into first team stars, Bellingham could be the latest such player. In midfield, Postecoglou currently plays the likes of Rodrigo Bentancur, Lucas Bergvall, James Maddison and Yves Bissouma. Bellingham would have a lot of competition initially, but he could gradually work his way into the team.

 

He can play both as a more attacking midfielder and a defensive one, which could be very beneficial for a Tottenham side who have struggled for depth this season due to their injury problems.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, if he was to join Crystal Palace, it would be easier for Bellingham to get into the first team, as he would be competing with the likes of Will Hughes, Jefferson Lerma, Adam Wharton and Daichi Kamada.

 

Not only could Bellingham get into the team immediately, but he could also become the main star midfielder as Adam Wharton has recently been subject to reports linking him with a move to Tottenham. If Wharton was to leave Selhurst Park, they would need to find a replacement which could come in the form of Bellingham.

 

 

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Eagles boss reflected on a “very positive” month of transfer business at Selhurst Park

 

Happy manager: Oliver Glasner is confident Crystal Palace have made two key signings

 

Oliver Glasner has hailed Crystal Palace’s “very positive” January transfer business.

 

The Eagles signed teenage winger Romain Esse from Millwall for £14.5million including add-ons as well as agreeing a six-month loan for Chelsea left wing-back Ben Chilwell.

 

They were also looking to add a centre-back after a season-ending knee injury to Chadi Riad and Trevoh Chalobah’s return to Chelsea left them short in the position, but were unable to tie down a target.

 

“It was a very positive transfer window for us,” said Glasner, whose side visit Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday night.

 

“We defined the targets, positions and profiles very early — far before the transfer window. We started working on it. Like always, you have two wishes. To sign them on January 1 and they start training with us on January 2 — but I’m really convinced we found the right players for us.

 

“With Romain, he’s a young, highly talented player. With Ben, he’s much more experienced and knows the Premier League.

 

“We loaned Jeffrey Schlupp to Celtic and we lost a very experienced Premier League player and a very important player in the changing room. Schluppy was highly respected by everyone in the dressing room and club because of his career and personality. I think we did a good job.”

 

Romain Esse celebrating scoring for Crystal Palace against Brentford

Romain Esse scored on his debut off the bench against Brentford

Getty Images

Centre-back Chris Richards and forward Eddie Nketiah are doubts for the trip to Doncaster, who sit third in League Two.

 

“Chris Richards is sick,” Glasner revealed, “so he hasn’t trained until now. I hope that he will be back with us tomorrow [Saturday], but I don’t know if he can train yet. So there is a question there.

 

“Unfortunately, Eddie Nketiah got injured in the training, twisting his ankle, so there is a big question mark over whether he will be available.”

 

Eberechi Eze will be rested and will not feature. Meanwhile, Adam Wharton and Ben Chilwell are available but may not both start.

 

Chilwell is awaiting his Palace debut, while Wharton made his first appearance since groin surgery in last weekend’s 2-0 win at Manchester United but is still awaiting a first start since regaining fitness.

 

Glasner explained: “Both are ready to start, but I don’t want to plan that both have to be subbed off at half time.

 

“I have to think more in detail about it, but when you ask me now, my feeling tells me that it is not a good idea to start both at the same time when both are not available for 90 minutes.”

 

Asked whether Esse, who scored a debut goal off the bench in the recent 2-1 defeat to Brentford, will make his first start, the manager replied: “It’s possible, yes. But there are many things to consider. It’s different during a [busy] week, maybe then you have to manage the minutes.”

 

 

 

Crystal Palace have lined up two talented Championship centre halves to replace Marc Guehi should he leave the club in the summer. Guehi, 24, was subject to a £70million bid from Tottenham last week.

 

Palace rejected the proposal and were eager to keep him at Selhurst Park until at least the summer. But with Guehi’s contract entering the final 18 months, the Eagles might have to cash in at the end of the season.

 

 

 

I was compared to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino – now Spurs reunion is on the cards

There is an expectation that the former Chelsea defender is going to leave Palace but his destination is uncertain. Tottenham could come back in after their deadline day offer was turned down, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have been linked with a move for Guehi.

 

 

In the case that Guehi is sold, Palace have lined up a couple of replacements. According to The Sun, Burnley’s Maxime Esteve and Middlesbrough’s Rav van den Berg are the two names that have been identified.

 

Esteve, 22, has been excellent for Burnley this season. The Clarets have the best defensive record in the English Football League this season, having conceded a staggering nine goals in 31 Championship matches this season – and Esteve has been a massive part of that success.

 

Van den Berg, 20, has caught the eye at Boro this season. The Dutch talent has started in each of their last six Championship matches and established himself as a key performer at the back.

 

First-choice target Strahinja Pavlovic doesn’t look like he is going to be moving to Palace, however. They have been priced out a deal to sign the Serbian, with AC Milan demanding for £35m.

 

 

 

I was compared to Lionel Messi by Mauricio Pochettino – now Spurs reunion is on the cards

Palace have enjoyed an up-turn in performances and results in recent weeks, with last weekend’s 2-0 win at Manchester United marking a fourth clean sheet in their last five matches. The Eagles are aiming to continue that run when they travel to League Two side Doncaster Rovers in the FA Cup on Monday.

 

Speaking ahead of their trip to South Yorkshire, Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “We’re looking to Doncaster. Always in a Cup competition, or the same in the league, it makes no sense thinking about the end – you have to make several steps to lift the trophy in the Cup.

 

“You could see the Stockport game. We played at home, and then we had a good start, but it was not so easy to create chances and score goals. Now, we play away at Doncaster. We watch them and we have a respect for them.”

 

 

 

 

Crystal Palace have reportedly turned their attention to the EFL Championship, in search for a successor to club captain Marc Guehi, with Burnley’s Maxime Esteve and Middlesborough’s Rav van den Berg on the radar, according to Alan Nixon.

 

The Englishman impressed at Euros 2024 last year, and has been the subject of interest from numerous clubs in the upper echelons of the Premier League. Palace have done what they can to retain Guehi for the 2024/25 campaign, but his contract has now ticked into its final 18 months and losing him may be inevitable.

 

Palace Identify Guehi Replacements in Championship

The Eagles have been unable to land European targets

Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace

As per Nixon, via his Patreon, Crystal Palace will “focus on the Championship” in their pursuit for Guehi’s successor. He wrote:

 

“Palace were quoted out of AC Milan’s Stahinja Pavlovic with the Italians wanting £35 million for coach Oliver Glasner’s first choice.

 

“So instead Palace will focus on the Championship for the long term successor for Guehi.

 

“Both [Esteve and Van den Berg] would be in Palace’s price range, especially if they fail to win promotion and are the current favourites for the job.”

 

Esteve, 22, previously made 16 Premier League appearances for Burnley last season before the side suffered relegation, though his displays have improved significantly in the second-tier. The Frenchman, dubbed “unbelievable”, has been key to the Clarets’ impenetrable defense this term, which has amassed a league-leading 22 clean sheets.

 

Meanwhile, Van den Berg, 20, has also caught the eye this term with his performances, despite having missed portions of the season due to injury.

 

Maxime Esteve vs Rav van den Berg – 2024/25 Statistics comparisons

 

Daily Mail journalist Sami Mokbel revealed in a report to X (formerly Twitter) that Palace had made an inquiry regarding Pavlovic’s availability, though AC Milan were in no rush to part ways with the Serbian.

 

It is believed Oliver Glasner was personally keen on adding Pavlovic to his defensive options, but a deal now looks to be off the cards. The Austrian tactician was also said to be a “huge admirer” of Union Berlin defender Danilo Doekhi, as per Peter O’Rourke, but Crystal Palace were unable to complete deals for either in the winter transfer window.

 

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Oliver Glasner issued a concerning injury update as Crystal Palace’s list of unavailable players balloons ahead of their FA Cup fourth round visit to Doncaster on Monday.

 

Glasner confirmed ahead of Palace’s game against Manchester United last week that Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure had suffered season ending injuries.

 

Now the squad may become thinner still, due to multiple injuries in training calling several players’ availability into question.

 

Eberechi Eze has been ruled out of Monday’s squad with a foot injury, while Eddie Nketiah has been revealed as a doubt due to an ankle injury.

 

“Unfortunately, Nketiah was injured yesterday in training,” said Glasner. “He twisted his ankle, so there is a big question if he is available.

 

“Eze won’t be available, he won’t train this week because the pain in his foot has to settle down.

 

“Chris Richards is sick, so he did not train until now. I hope that he will be back with us tomorrow, but I don’t know if he can train, so he is a question.

 

“Joel Ward is still out. Nathaniel Clyne got a knock yesterday so he could not train today, he is a small question for Monday.

 

“With Franca, the original plan was to give him minutes with the Under-21s, but now, when Eze is not available, maybe Nketiah is not available, he could be in the squad for Monday night. We will decide on Sunday.

 

“Adam Wharton looks very sharp in training. He did excellently at the end of the Manchester United game and he looks very stable now, so he is available.”