Jean-Phillipe Mateta Sub: Crystal Palace manager explains decision ahead of Newcastle United amid injury fear

Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner turned heads at half-time against Manchester City in the Premier League clash on Saturday lunch time when taking star man Jean-Philippe Mateta off after just 45 minutes.

The Frenchman has bagged 13 top flight goals this season and has been prolific since the turn of the year with nine goals in 11 league outings. Mateta started the match against Manchester City but was replaced by midfielder Will Hughes at the break.

At that time, the scores were level at 2-2 after an action-packed first half. It made sense that Glasner wanted some extra bite in midfield, hence turning to Hughes, but it was a surprise to see that it was Mateta who came off.

Jean-Philippe Mateta injury update

Speaking after the game, Glasner confirmed that the decision was tactical and not due to fitness. He said: "He can do better than he did first half. He lost too many duels and too many balls. The mistake I made was to change the system, not to take Mateta off."

Crystal Palace next face Newcastle United in Premier League action on Wednesday night at St James’ Park before taking on Bournemouth at Selhurst Park next weekend. There’s then a midweek trip to Arsenal before the FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.

In among the goals in 2025, Mateta has had his injury problems. The striker was on the receiving end of a nasty blow in the FA Cup win over Millwall in March. The Lions’ goalkeeper Liam Roberts came flying out of his box and collided with the talisman.

Mateta was stretchered off the pitch and taken to hospital with a nasty gash to his ear. The forward was then ruled out of the Premier League meeting with Ipswich Town but did return for the FA Cup quarter final win over Fulham at the end of March.

Oliver Glasner praises ‘amazing’ Crystal Palace striker

Praising the player following his brace against Manchester United in February, Glasner said: "We don't always talk because he knows what we demand of him. With his two goals today, he is amazing in the box.

"He has the feeling that a number nine must have in the box. He makes so many runs where he doesn't get the ball. You need 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."

Mateta is contracted at Selhurst Park until 2027, having had a contract extension triggered by the club in December. He is, however, rumoured to be the subject of serious transfer interest from Manchester United this summer.

Former Arsenal star and Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson had underlined how good a signing Mateta would be Manchester United. Speaking on Deadline Day, he said: “Man United should get Mateta, that’s what they need.

“He’s a strong lad up front, playing at the top of his game, he leads the line, scoring goals now. He runs and works his socks off harder than anyone you know. But they won’t because he plays for Palace. And everyone would go: “what are you buying him for?”

“But he’s 100 times better than anyone Man Utd have in the front line. Not Amad, he’s a young kid – but he’s much better than Hojlund and Zirkzee at the moment. And Man Utd are playing Mainoo up front. If you’re one of those two centre forwards, I would say: I might as well go out on loan and play for Exeter this month.”

In other news, Pep Guardiola has made his views clear on an 'excellent' Crystal Palace star who has been linked with exit.