Jean-Philippe Mateta injury updates – Crystal Palace striker breaks silence after horror collision during FA Cup tie
SATURDAY'S FA Cup fifth round action has concluded.
It kicked off with two thrilling derbies as Crystal Palace beat London rivals Millwall 3-1, and Preston shocked Burnley with a 3-0 win in the Lancashire derby.
was taken off on a stretcher early on at Selhurst Park after the Palace striker was on the receiving end of a kung-fu-like kick from Liam Roberts, which saw the Lions keeper see red.
The forward was rushed to hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear.
Mateta confirmed via Instagram that he was "doing well" and hopes to be back "very soon."
Later in the day, Bournemouth knocked Wolves out on penalties in an all-Premier League clash.
Saturday's action finished with Manchester City denying Plymouth another upset, winning 3-1 at the Etihad.
Follow our live blog below...
Crystal Palace to face Fulham
The Eagles' reward for beating Millwall is a trip across London to face Fulham, who beat Manchester United.
The pair met last month and Glasner's side ran out 2-0 winners, so they could fancy their chances of reaching Wembley.
Palace to learn FA Cup fate
The draw for the FA Cup quarter-final will take place shortly.
First is the small matter of deciding the winner of Man Utd vs Fulham after the game went to extra-time following a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes.
The draw will commence on BBC One when the match is finished.
Glasner's view on Mateta incident
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner believes Millwall keeper Liam Roberts’ clash with Jean-Philippe Mateta could have been a career-ending challenge and deserved a red card.
He said: “I heard he’s conscious and that it is a serious ear injury.
“I didn’t see it in real time during the game. I didn’t want to see it after the game, because I never want to watch an injury, but then of course because I was going to have to talk about it I watched it, and it was a very, very serious foul play.
“Tough to see. I don’t want to see it anymore. The good thing is, just imagine if he hits his face straight, with his power, with the studs, it is the end of JP’s career.
“I’m pretty sure he didn’t want to injure JP in this situation, but I also think that you have to decide when you make such an impact, you just can’t do it in this way.
“The risk of a very, very serious injury is just too high, so I think it was the wrong decision the keeper took in this moment, but I always believe in the fair play of sportsmen, I know they never want to injure their opposition players.
“I think he didn’t want to injure him in that way, but I think the decision to go to the ball with his foot at this height, with this intensity was the completely wrong decision, and, of course, I think everybody agrees that the red card was the right decision.”
BBC commentator slams fan behaviour
BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce was left shocked by the obscene chants from some Millwall fans during the early stages of their FA Cup game against Crystal Palace.
While he was being treated by physios and medical staff, some Millwall fans at Selhurst Park appeared to chant: "Let him die, let him die, let him die."
Pearce, who was commentating on the match, was left far from impressed and felt compelled to say: "Millwall fans are not endearing themselves with anyone with those chants about Mateta. The football club could be revisited about that."
Nketiah steps up for Mateta
Crystal Palace lost their talisman when Mateta went off injured but his replacement Eddie Nketiah had a big impact, scoring the third goal.
Oliver Glasner was happy with his contribution, and said of his goal: “He can be very happy with it – it was an amazing header.
“He had to run backwards and then heading into the opposite direction is one of the most difficult headers you can have, technically, and getting all the power. It was amazing.
“We’re doing this [training it], of course, for scoring goals.
“We’re doing it so that the players get used to good crosses and timing, and also for having fun, having a competition and scoring goals because at the end, you need to score goals to win games.
“Of course, it’s good when it helps, and Eddie did it today.”
Mateta shares message
Mateta was in good spirits despite being taken to hospital as a result of the challenge.
He thanked fans for their well wishes in a statement that read: "Thank you all for your kind messages.
"I'm doing well. I hope to be back very soon and stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today."
Barton slammed for controversial comments
Joey Barton has been slammed as "pathetic" by fans on social media after he criticised the decision to send off Liam Roberts despite his kung-fu kick on Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Barton, who has become infamous for his trolling on social media and vile taunts towards other pundits and broadcasters, accused Mateta of "f***ing about" and insisted play should have resumed immediately.
He said: "Mateta is f***ing about, and finds out. Keeper well within rights there. Kicks the ball on the up. Doesn’t stamp through on the player. Momentum takes him into him. Play on.
"Shouldn’t have been a [dismissal]. JP should have protected himself better. It’s your fault if you get done like that. Mane’s well worse on Ederson. Move on."
Barton had also said in a previous tweet: "I think it’s a foul by Mateta initially on defender. Keeper gets the ball and momentum takes him into the man. Play on or free kick to the keeper in my opinion. Never a red. Mateta has cut to his head. Play on. Contact sport."
Palace to discover quarter-final opponent
The draw for the next round of the FA Cup will take place at the end of Manchester UNited's tie with Fulham, which kicks off at 4:30.
The quarter-final matches will take place over the weekend of March 29/30.
Palace are ball number three. Here are the numbers in full.
- Preston North End
- Aston Villa
- Crystal Palace
- Manchester United or Fulham
- Newcastle United or Brighton & Hove Albion
- Bournemouth
- Manchester City
- Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town
Extent of Mateta injury
The Crystal Palace striker required 25 stitches to his ear after Steve Parish claimed it was almost "cut in half".
Mateta was taken to St George's hospital following the incident and was released yesterday evening.
A club statement read: "He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
"Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today."
Michael Oliver slammed over decision
Ref Michael Oliver has been criticised for not immediately showing a red card to Liam Roberts.
Former Prem ref Keith Hackett told Football Insider: “What an appalling challenge and I have to ask the question why one of the world’s top referees failed to immediately show a red card.
“It is frankly an absolute no brainer.
“What is also appalling is that referee Michael Oliver had to rely on VAR in order to deliver the outcome. It didn’t need a second look, it was horrendous.”
Millwall face FA investigation
Millwall could face sanctions over alleged homophobic chanting but will escape punishment for 'let him die' chants directed at Jean-Philippe Mateta, it has been claimed.
Mateta received oxygen during a seven-minute delay, before being taken to hospital for treatment on his injuries.
During the pause, some Millwall supporters were heard chanting 'let him die,' but it was another chant which might land the club in hot water.
According to The Mail, the 'Let him die' chants do not constitute a breach of rules.
However, the same might not apply when it comes to alleged homophobic language directed at Palace left-back Ben Chilwell, who is on loan from Chelsea - with an investigation anticipated.
Keeper reaches out to Mateta
Millwall keeper Liam Roberts has reportedly reached out to Jean-Philippe Mateta following his reckless tackle that saw the Crystal Palace striker sent to hospital.
According to The Mail, Millwall's manager Alex Neil and chairman James Berylson both checked in on Mateta's condition following their team's defeat.
Sources also indicated that Roberts had made contact with Mateta, who left the hospital on Saturday evening.
Alex Neil responds to Parish claim
Millwall boss Neil has dismissed Steve Parish's claim that the challenge was the most reckless he has ever seen.
Neil said: "I think the ball went in behind, Liam Roberts has come out which he has done in many games he's played, he's misjudged it and caught the lad.
"He has mistimed it, he got sent off which at that stage made the game doubly difficult for us. I don't think it is meant. I don't think there is any intent, why would there be intent?
"We don't want the lad to be injured. We wish him well and hope he is back on the pitch soon. It was a mistiming, he was sent off, he is disappointed and will hope Mateta is fine, which we all do.
"You are playing Premier League opposition on their own ground so it is a difficult task with 11 men. The nature of the goals probably disappoint me the most."
"Worst tackle ever"
Piers Morgan weighed in with his view of the shocking tackle on Mateta, suggesting Roberts committed an assault.
He tweeted: "Worst ‘tackle’ I’ve ever seen in football.
"Absolutely shameful assault on Jean-Philippe Mateta by Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
"He was sent off, but if he did that to someone in the street he’d be jailed."
Steve Parish slams ‘reckless’ Millwall star
Parish claimed Liam Roberts endangered Jean-Philippe Mateta's LIFE with his horror challenge.
In-form Crystal Palace hitman Mateta was rushed to the hospital after being on the receiving end of a wild tackle from the Millwall keeper in the first half of the tasty FA Cup fifth-round tie.
Roberts booted the striker in the head as he recklessly cleared the ball with a kung-fu kick of a challenge, which eventually earned him a red card.
Parish couldn't quite believe his eyes and voiced his frustrations during a mid-match interview with the BBC.
He said: "So far what we know is he's got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. He's at the hospital so we hope for the best.
"There's a lot of emotion in football but we need to talk about that challenge.
"In all the time I've watched football, I've never seen a challenge like it.
"I looked to see how old the keeper is, he's 30 years old.
"That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I've ever seen.
"And he needs to have a long, hard look at himself that lad.
"Because he's endangering a fellow professional, maybe even his life, with a challenge like that."
What happened?
Michael Oliver initially allowed play to continue with Palace still on the attack but once the shot was headed away, he stopped the game.
To start with, Roberts escaped without a red card and was permitted to stay on the field but then Oliver was sent to the pitchside VAR monitor to watch a replay.
He decided to overturn his original decision and announced the sending off over the stadium tannoy before brandishing the red card.
Mateta stayed down for several minutes as he was treated by the medics on the Selhurst Park pitch while distressed team-mates watched on.
After nearly ten minutes on the ground, he was carried off on a stretcher to the corner of the stadium where an ambulance was waiting to take him to hospital.
The French striker received oxygen as he was taken away.
Credit: GETTY Update
Crystal Palace revealed Jean-Philippe Mateta has been discharged from hospital following his horror injury against Millwall.
In a club statement, they said: "We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has this evening been discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear and JP is feeling well.
"He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
"Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today."
Credit: Getty Mark Hasley
Something is not right with our officials at the moment.
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts’ first-half challenge on Jean-Philippe Mateta was a clear red card for serious foul play.
The Crystal Palace striker was kicked in the head and it was an obvious instance of endangering a player’s safety with excessive force and/or brutality.
Yet, referee Michael Oliver did not even show a yellow card.
We had to wait for VAR to intervene and recommend a review.
Even then, it took more than TWO MINUTES for a decision to be made.
Mateta injury latest
On Saturday night, Crystal Palace released a positive update regarding Jean-Philippe Mateta, it read: "We are very pleased to confirm that JP Mateta has this evening been discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear and JP is feeling well.
"He will now rest and recuperate over the following days where his progress will be monitored by our club doctor.
"Thank you to the medical staff at both Selhurst Park and the hospital for their help and professionalism, and for all the wishes of support that JP and the club have received today."
Pep on O’Reilly
Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Nico O’Reilly.
He said: “O’Reilly is not a typical player from our Academy because they are [usually] so small… But he has a big, big presence!
“Normally, he’s an attacking midfielder/No10 – arriving to the box really well, he has a sense of goal. But for the problems we have, he adapted really well to fullback; I think he can play holding midfield.
“He’s another threat for our set pieces because we are not a tall team, and he helps us! He played really good with and without the ball, and helped us with two fantastic goals!”
Mateta breaks silence
JEAN-PHILIPPE MATETA has broken his silence following his horror FA Cup injury.
The Crystal Palace hitman was rushed to the hospital after being poleaxed in the first half of The Eagle’s fifth-round win over Millwall, whom they beat 3-1.
The injury has required the striker to have stitches and it is unclear if he will remain in the hospital overnight.
But he allayed fears over his condition via his Instagram story, writing: “Thanks for all your kind messages.
“I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon and stronger than ever.
“Well done, guys, for the great job today. I love you. JP.”
Games still to come
Newcastle vs Brighton - Sunday, Mar 2 - 1:45pm GMT
Man United vs Fulham - Sunday, Mar 2 - 4:30pm GMT
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich - Monday, Mar 3 - 7:30pm GMTToday's results
Preston 3-0 Burnley
Palace 3-1 Millwall
Bournemouth 1 (5)-1 (4) Wolves
Man City 3-1 PlymouthMateta updates
Oliver Glasner confirmed Mateta picked up an ear injury following today's game.
Glasner also added he will "definitely miss" Crystal Palace's clash against Ipswich.
However, Mateta confirmed he was "doing well" and hoped to be back "stronger than ever."
Nico O'Saviour
Pep Guardiola won't have been expecting to call on 19-year-old O'Riley, but he stepped up in a big way.
Plymouth had already seen off Premier League sides Brentford and Liverpool, and at 1-0 up were threatening a third cupset in a row.
But - O'Riley had other ideas, finishing off two chances to give City the lead.
Kevin De Bruyne, rumoured to be in his final season at Manchester City, added the finishing touches in the final moments.
