Crystal Palace stars react to Jean-Philippe Mateta’s message after Aston Villa controversy
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Jonathan Burnett
Mon 1 September 2025 11:24, UK
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal in Crystal Palace’s victory at Aston Villa became the subject of a bizarre refereeing decision.
Oliver Glasner‘s side put their difficult summer transfer window behind them to pick up their first win of the season in style at Villa Park, as Crystal Palace put their fellow Europe-bound opponents to the sword.
Mateta‘s 21st-minute opener from the spot set the tone for a dominant 3-0 victory, as Marc Guehi and Ismaila Sarr sealed the points towards the end of the second half to continue Palace’s unbeaten start.
Guehi’s curling strike from the edge of the box doubled the Eagles’ lead in the 68th minute, and that goal could prove to be a farewell present after Football Insider revealed the Crystal Palace captain’s move to Liverpool is well advanced.
(Credit Hasan Karin, Breaking Media)
Like Guehi, Mateta has been heavily linked with a move away from Selhurst Park this summer and was a target for Manchester United before they signed Benjamin Sesko, but he looks set to stay put at Palace.
The Frenchman continues to lead the line in Glasner’s side and dispatched his penalty past Aston Villa keeper Marco Bizot on Sunday, before running over to kick the corner flag in his trademark celebration.
However, referee Stuart Attwell booked the striker before the match restarted, and ex-PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that this was due to Mateta’s celebration being “over the top”.
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Mateta posted on Instagram at full-time of Palace’s win with a reel of images including the celebration in question, and several of his team-mates liked his message, which said “+3” alongside red and blue icons as well as an ‘Eagle’ emoji.
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Football Insider Verdict
Not only did Adam Wharton, Eddie Nketiah, Dean Henderson and others show support for Mateta’s post, Chelsea star Cole Palmer also expressed his bafflement at the striker’s booking in a separate message.
Palace’s journey to FA Cup and Community Shield glory has come with Guehi donning the armband to lead a squad bound by togetherness, but the search for a new captain could begin in a matter of hours.
Crystal Palace are on the hunt for Guehi’s replacement as he closes in on a last-ditch move to Liverpool before his contract expires, but Brighton centre-back Igor Julio has a huge taks on his hands to fill the void Guehi will leave at Selhurst Park.