Crystal Palace vs Leicester City: Mateta's Late Penalty Rescues a Point for the Eagles

Crystal Palace rescued a point from the jaws of defeat with a dramatic stoppage-time penalty, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s calm finish cancelling out Jamie Vardy’s opener and Stephy Mavididi’s swift second. The Eagles remain without a win this season, but a draw after trailing for the majority of the game will be welcomed. Leicester, on the other hand, will be left to rue missed opportunities, having controlled the first half and looked to be cruising to victory before the break.

Leicester had started brightly, and their pressure was rewarded after 21 minutes. Ndidi, playing in a more advanced role, took the ball off Wharton before playing a perfect through ball to Vardy. The veteran forward showed great awareness to round Dean Henderson and slide the ball into the empty net for his first goal of the season. Vardy has now scored 14 Premier League goals against Crystal Palace, more than against any other side. The Foxes continued to dominate, and they doubled their lead just 23 seconds into the second half. Mavididi, who had come close on a couple of occasions, finally found the back of the net with a well-taken finish after Ndidi's deflected shot fell to his feet. Mavididi, now playing on the left-wing, was making his first start of the season for Leicester.

Palace, however, were not done yet. In the 47th minute, Mateta got the Eagles back in the game with a well-taken finish. It was Mateta’s first goal in the Premier League this season and his first since returning from the Olympic Games. Just as it looked as though Leicester would hold on to victory, Conor Coady, a substitute for Leicester, made a costly error in the 92nd minute. Coady lunged in on Ismaila Sarr, giving away a penalty. Mateta kept his cool, sending Mads Hermansen the wrong way, to rescue a point for Palace.

The draw was a good result for Palace, considering they were trailing for most of the game. The Eagles have now drawn one and lost two of their first three Premier League games. They will be hoping to build on this result and get their first win of the season next week.

Leicester, on the other hand, will be disappointed to have thrown away a two-goal lead. The Foxes have now lost two of their first three games and will be looking to bounce back next week. The Foxes have failed to open the scoring in two of their last 24 Premier League games, conceding first in each of their first three this season.

Key Moments

Leicester’s Early Dominance

Leicester began the game with a clear focus on disrupting Palace’s flow. They pressed high, winning the ball high up the pitch and creating numerous chances in the opening 20 minutes. Ndidi, with his experience, was vital to this dominance. His high press was key to dispossessing the Palace midfielders and his long-range passes created many opportunities for Vardy and Mavididi, who were a constant threat on the counter-attack.

Mateta’s Clinical Finish

Mateta’s first Premier League goal of the season, in the 47th minute, was a crucial turning point. He took a touch and then fired a low shot into the corner of the net. This goal gave Palace a much-needed boost of confidence and allowed them to regain control of the game for a period.

Coady’s Costly Error

Coady’s clumsy lunge on Sarr in the 92nd minute was a defining moment in the match. The Leicester substitute was deemed to have committed a foul and a penalty was awarded. This penalty allowed Mateta to equalise and ensured that Palace salvaged a point from the match.

What’s Next

Crystal Palace will be hoping to build on their momentum and get their first win of the season when they travel to Brentford next week. Leicester, on the other hand, will be looking to bounce back from this disappointing result when they host Newcastle United at the King Power Stadium.

Looking Ahead

The match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City was a tense affair that was full of drama. It was a reminder that anything can happen in the Premier League.

The result is sure to have a significant impact on both teams’ season. Crystal Palace will be hoping that this draw can be the catalyst for a successful campaign, while Leicester will be hoping that they can quickly bounce back from this setback.

In Summary

The two teams have a rich history in the Premier League, and this was yet another thrilling chapter in their rivalry. The final whistle blew with the score at 2-2, but the game was full of twists and turns and both teams will have been left feeling that they could have won the match.

The Eagles Soar

The Eagles were down but not out. The draw was a testament to their resilience and their fighting spirit. They managed to pull off a comeback win in stoppage time, proving their ability to fight back from adversity.

Leicester’s Frustration

Leicester will be left to rue their missed opportunities. Despite dominating the first half and scoring two early goals, they were unable to hold on for victory. Coady’s costly error in the dying minutes of the game cost them dearly.