Jean-Philippe Mateta has issued an apology despite a stellar performance in Crystal Palace's recent Premier League clash against Bournemouth, which ended in a 3-3 draw. The French striker scored a hat-trick, including a stoppage-time penalty, but a late, late miss marred his otherwise triumphant afternoon.
The game at Selhurst Park was a rollercoaster. Bournemouth twice took the lead in the first half through 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi, who was making his full Premier League debut. Kroupi's first goal came just seven minutes into the match, heading home from close range. He doubled the Cherries' advantage with a volley after a cross from Antoine Semenyo.
Crystal Palace emerged a different team after the break. The turning point came when Ismaila Sarr was brought down by Marcos Senesi, leading to a VAR review. While many at Selhurst Park felt Senesi should have been sent off, the referee stuck with a yellow card, a decision that seemed to galvanize the home side.
Mateta then took center stage, scoring twice in quick succession to level the score. Bournemouth, however, regained the lead in the 89th minute through substitute Ryan Christie. Just as it appeared Bournemouth would snatch a late victory, Marc Guehi was fouled in the box, resulting in a penalty for Palace. Mateta stepped up and coolly converted to complete his hat-trick, sending the home crowd into raptures.
But the drama wasn't over. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Eddie Nketiah set up Mateta with a glorious opportunity to win the game, but the striker blasted his shot over the crossbar from close range.
Following the match, Mateta expressed his remorse for the missed opportunity. Despite his hat-trick heroics, he felt responsible for not securing all three points for his team. Palace manager Oliver Glasner, however, defended his player, emphasizing that he had no reason to apologize. Glasner acknowledged that players can't convert every chance and praised Mateta for his outstanding performance, reminding him that a Premier League hat-trick is a significant achievement. "He doesn't have to. You can't take every chance. He scored three. I said be proud. A hat-trick in the Premier League is not easy and he deserved it," Glasner said.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola was less philosophical, expressing his frustration with the late penalty decision. He believed the VAR should have intervened, arguing that Guehi was the one who initiated the foul. Iraola also suggested that the VAR's decision might have been influenced by the earlier incident involving Senesi and Sarr. "I am upset and I am angry because of their goal in the 96th-minute, I cannot accept it. Not to win it because someone called a penalty and I think the VAR was influenced by the previous decision. That is the only explanation I can find," Iraola said.
The draw leaves both teams in a similar position in the Premier League table. Crystal Palace will face Bournemouth on Oct 18, 2025.
