Jean-Philippe Mateta felt that Crystal Palace earned their 2-0 win over Manchester United and was pleased to continue his recent hot streak with a brace in Old Trafford.
The Frenchman was by the hand to turn the rebound after Maxence Lacroix had hit a header against the bar in the 64th minute, before he got his second one minute of time and ended a sizzling counterattack.
Since the first match of Oliver Glasner in February 2024, Mateta has scored 23 Premier League goals, with only Erling Haaland, Alexander Isak, Cole Palmer and Mohamed Salah more at the time.
In the meantime, no player has scored more Premier League goals in 2025 than his six, level with Chris Wood and Phil Foden.
“I feel fantastic!” Mateta, who also missed a glorious chance in the first half, said. “We won these three points, we worked hard and I am very happy.
“We know how [Man Utd] Play with the new manager; We worked on a plan during the week and we stayed with the plan. We listened to the Gaffer and worked hard, and I think we deserve this victory.
“I just put down my head and worked hard. I sometimes think that if you do that, you get the reward.”
After won none of their first 10 visits to Old Trafford in the Premier League, a point with nine straight defeats, Palace has now won four of their last six road races against United (lost two).
In fact, for the second time in the competition they have only won back to Old Trafford in the competition.
Palace always looked into control on Sunday and resolutely defended their chances when they arrived in the second half, and Glasner was happy with the influence of Mateta.
“We don't always talk because he knows what we demand from him. With his two goals today he is great in the box,” Glasner told BBC Match of the day.
“He feels that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many points where he doesn't get the ball. You have to suffer as a striker, because you make so many runs where you don't get the ball. He gets the reward and It decides the game for us.
“We just enjoy the moment, a big win. We defended very well; we struggled in some times in the beginning and after the break.
“We scored from a set play, but had two or three big chances in the first half and we had to keep the faith.
“We knew that there would be times when we had to survive because each team has this at Old Trafford. Great honor to the team and the players today.”
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