Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over Championship side Millwall on Saturday, advancing to the FA Cup quarter-finals. However, the win was overshadowed by a concerning injury to their in-form striker, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The 27-year-old French forward suffered a head injury in the seventh minute at Selhurst Park after a collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. Mateta, who was struck in the head, required oxygen on the field before being taken to the hospital due to a concussion.
Palace chairman Steve Parish strongly criticized Roberts’s challenge, calling it the most reckless he had ever witnessed. Following a VAR review, Roberts was sent off for a dangerous play when he rushed off his line to clear a long ball but instead made contact with Mateta’s head with his raised studs.
The Eagles took the lead in the 33rd minute through an own goal by defender Japhet Tanganga, followed by a close-range strike from Daniel Munoz. Despite being reduced to ten men, Millwall responded before halftime with a goal from Wes Harding and put up a strong fight in the second half.
Eddie Nketiah, who came on as Mateta’s replacement, ensured Palace’s progression by scoring a looping header in the 81st minute.
Mateta has been enjoying an excellent season, scoring 15 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions. Speaking at halftime to the BBC, Parish provided an update, stating that Mateta had suffered a deep cut behind his ear along with the head injury and was being assessed at the hospital.
“He’s at the hospital now, and we’re hoping for the best. Emotions run high in football, but that challenge needs to be addressed. In all my years of watching the game, I’ve never seen anything like it. It was the most reckless challenge I’ve ever witnessed on a football pitch,” Parish commented.
In another early FA Cup match, Championship side Burnley suffered a surprising 3-0 defeat to Lancashire rivals Preston North End. Goals from Milutin Osmajic, Robbie Brady, and Will Keane secured Preston’s emphatic win, ending Burnley’s 12-game streak in the league without conceding a goal.
Later on Saturday, Bournemouth hosted Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Manchester City faced Plymouth Argyle, who had unexpectedly eliminated Liverpool in the previous round.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa booked their place in the last eight with a 2-0 victory over Cardiff City on Friday.
