By Paul Green at Selhurst Park
OLIVER Glasner resisted the obvious temptation to single out scoring hero Jean-Philippe Mateta after the Crystal Palace striker came off the bench to grab a brace including a stoppage-time penalty to help the Eagles come from behind to sink Newcastle United 2-1.
The Eagles were trailing to William Osula’s 43rd-minute opener when Mateta entered the fray on 65 minutes to replace Jorgen Strand Larsen.
That was part of a triple substitution as Glasner also sent on regulars Adam Wharton and Ismaila Sarr, who were rested following the impressive 3-0 midweek Europa Conference League demolition of Fiorentina in the quarter-final first leg at home.
And the boss’s call to ring the changes paid off in style when Mateta – who wanted to leave in January and saw a move to AC Milan fall through – levelled with an 80th-minute header from Tyrick Mitchell’s cross.
Mateta then converted a 94th-minute penalty after Sven Botman’s pull on Jefferson Lerma to seal three welcome points and pile more pressure on Magpies boss Eddie Howe.
It capped a memorable few days for the Frenchman, who also scored from the spot against the Italians.
But the Palace boss was keen to emphasise the comeback win over the Magpies was a team effort.
Glasner said: “When I see his first goal, of course always the goal-scorers are the ones in the spotlight.
“But it’s how brave Jaydee Canvot drives the ball through midfield. And then Tyrick Mitchell is there again. There were so many legs and bodies and chaos in the box.
“He stays calm and really delivers the ball straight on JP’s head.
“And then he does what he’s here for – scoring a goal and being in the right position.
“To be honest, I think it was a penalty, but a little bit lucky that they made this foul.
“In the 93rd minute, JP can score penalties. I think he has proven it for many years here. He stayed calm and has the confidence.
“He scored the two goals, but as I mentioned for me it was a huge team effort.”
Despite being reluctant to make his post-match press conference all about the double goal-scorer, Glasner was happy to praise Mateta.
The Selhurst chief added: “I was delighted for him and I mentioned weeks ago that is what he deserves.
“As soon as it was clear that he had to stay at Crystal Palace, he said, ‘Okay, I will work very, very hard to come back and help the team win’, and to help us achieve all our goals.
“This is what he has showed and he is now getting back to his top fitness.
“I thought Jorgen Strand Larsen worked very hard and the Newcastle centre-backs looked fatigued at the end because they had to really work very hard against him and against all the others.”
Crystal Palace travel to Florence on Thursday (April 16) for the second leg of their quarter-final before hosting West Ham United at Selhurst on Monday evening.
