A vicious high-kick challenge from Millwall’s goalkeeper Liam Roberts forced Crystal Palace center-forward Jean Philippe-Mateta to be stretchered off minutes into his team’s FA Cup fifth-round matchup with the Championship team.
Before the all-London event, the mood was naturally enthusiastic, but things quickly took a turn for the worst when Roberts lunged carelessly and caught Mateta with his boot. When Will Hughes made a fantastic long pass up the pitch, there were only six minutes remaining.
Mateta, 27, and Millwall defender Jake Cooper were fighting for the bouncing ball shoulder-to-shoulder when Lions custodian Roberts rushed out of his box. Although it looked like he had recovered the ball, he suddenly clattered a stray boot into the line-leader’s heart.
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Even though he chose to reverse his original ruling and give Roberts the second red card of his lengthy and illustrious career, Mateta was still hurt on the ground and needed to be taken off on a stretcher following almost 10 minutes of on-field care.
The six-cap France international, who is considered to be among the best strikers in the Premier League, was taken to the hospital to receive the best care possible, but instead of being taken into the dressing room for additional examinations, an ambulance and medical personnel waited beyond the corner flag.
Oliver Glasner replaced the mysterious Mateta, who was connected to Atletico Madrid, with Eddie Nketiah, who had previously played for Arsenal. Shortly after the change, he scored, but the build-up to the Englishman’s effort was chalked off for a handball.
Mateta, who joined from Mainz of the Bundesliga in the summer of 2022, has been playing quite well lately. He has scored 15 goals this season, 12 of which have come in the Premier League, and has scored the same amount in his last eight league games, making him a potent danger in the striker spot.
