Football Review | Crystal Palace 3 - 3 Bournemouth

The game of the season so far?

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a hat-trick as Crystal Palace came from two goals down to draw with Bournemouth in a pulsating contest. 

Author | Ajay

Stadium | Selhurst Park

View from the stands

In a dramatic finale, Mateta completed his treble in the 97th minute after Marc Guehi was pulled down by Bafode Diakite as a corner was swung in from the left. There was still time for more late drama, but the French striker, who has now scored seven goals this season, fired over a chance to win it deep into stoppage time.

Teenage forward Eli Kroupi, 19, had earlier marked his first Premier League start with two goals to put Bournemouth in control, a result that would have briefly taken them top of the table.

Mateta struck twice in five minutes to pull Palace level, only for Ryan Christie to restore Bournemouth’s advantage in the 89th minute. But Mateta’s last-gasp penalty ensured Palace salvaged a point.

Fantastic atmosphere from the Palace fans as always

The draw capped an excellent spell for Mateta, who made his debut for France earlier this month and scored his first international goal in a 2-2 draw with Iceland.

Palace move up to eighth in the Premier League, while Bournemouth sit fourth. The Cherries would have gone top with a win, though Arsenal, who began the day leading the table, could have reclaimed first place by avoiding defeat at Fulham later in the evening.

Is Palace’s defence now a concern?

Earlier on Saturday, manager Oliver Glasner confirmed that captain Marc Guehi has informed Crystal Palace he will not sign a new contract and intends to leave either in January or next summer.

Newcastle had a £60m bid for the England defender turned down in January, while a £35m deadline-day move to Liverpool in September collapsed when Palace failed to secure a replacement.

Despite ongoing speculation about his future, Guehi’s professionalism has never been in doubt, and once again he led the side at Selhurst Park. Glasner, however, will have concerns about his team’s defending.

Palace had conceded only five goals in seven league games before this match, a record bettered only by Arsenal. But they were far from their usual solidity here, allowing Eli Kroupi a free header for his first goal before Guehi’s poor clearance led to the teenager’s second.

Palace looked transformed after the interval and believed Bournemouth should have been reduced to ten men when Marcos Senesi brought down Ismaila Sarr. Referee Jarred Gillett was advised by VAR to review the incident but stood by his decision to show only a yellow card.

Mateta struck twice, both goals created by Daniel Muñoz, to bring Palace level, though defensive lapses allowed Ryan Christie to restore Bournemouth’s lead. Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point, but Glasner will be left frustrated by the three goals his side conceded.