Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta capped a dream week on Saturday with a hat-trick for his side in a thrilling 3-3 draw at home to Bournemouth in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old scored his first goal for France in a 2-2 draw against Iceland in midweek after receiving an initial call-up.
He then capped off a stunning Palace display at Selhurst Park against high-flying Bournemouth by converting a penalty in the seventh minute of stoppage time to earn his side a point.
Things could have gotten even better for Mateta, who then converted an opportunity to keep the win off target.
“With the last chance I got I am very frustrated but take this one,” said Mateta, who has scored eight goals in all competitions for club and country this season.
«For our fans I think it was a good game to watch. For us as professionals and the gaffer I don’t think he’s very happy. We were 2-0 down but we came back and were good.»
“There is a fantastic spirit and you can see that today, we have not given up.”
Palace is now unbeaten at home in the Premier League for ten games, but that record seemed to go up in smoke when two goals from teenager Eli Kroupi gave the visitor the lead.
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Mateta halved the deficit from close range in the 64th minute, with his goal allowed to stand after a VAR check overturned an offside decision. He struck again, completing Daniel Munoz’s low pass across the area.
Palace looked the most likely winners but Ryan Christie struck for Bournemouth in the 89th minute to put the visitor on the table within minutes.
But when Marc Guehi was dragged to the ground by Bournemouth’s Bafode Diakite, the referee pointed to the spot and Mateta remained calm and drove the home fans wild.
“Overall I’m so proud of the performance,” Palace manager Oliver Glasner told the BBC. «Jean-Philippe could have scored five today. You can’t expect him to take every chance, but it shows his confidence that he took the decisive penalty.»
Bournemouth finished the day in fourth place with 15 points, while Palace were eighth with 13.
Published on October 19, 2025
