Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates scoring the winning goal against Ipswich, December 3, 2024
Jean-Philippe Mateta celebrates after scoring his fourth goal of the season
Marc Guehi made his point to the Football Association with yet another religious message on his rainbow-coloured captain’s armband but Jean-Philippe Mateta’s goal turned out to be worth three.
The win – the Eagles’ first on the road in the Premier League this term – lifted Oliver Glasner’s side out of the bottom three and made sure Ipswich, still without a top-flight home win since 2002, remained there.
Guehi, the Palace captain, was the biggest talking point however and can expect the Football Association to get back in touch for a second successive flouting of Rule A4, which prohibits religious messaging on kit.
Close up of Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi wearing the Rainbow Laces captain's armband which has the words 'Jesus Heart You' following victory in the Premier League match at Portman Road, Ipswich
Marc Guehi flouted FA rules once again by writing a religious message on his rainbow armband
The England defender and his club were reminded of their responsibilities but not punished after Guehi wrote the words ‘I love Jesus’ on his multi-coloured armband in Saturday’s 1-1 draw against Newcastle.
At Portman Road the marker pen had been used again to make a statement during the Premier League’s support for LGBTQ+ inclusion in sport via the Stonewall charity’s Rainbow Laces campaign. This time ‘Jesus loves you’ could be seen on a colourful armband.
Whatever punishment the FA metes out having now been backed into a corner, it will not go unnoticed that Ipswich captain Sam Morsy refused to wear the rainbow armband at all, at Nottingham Forest on Saturday and again tonight.
Morsy, a Muslim, said he did so religious grounds – which is regarded by the FA as a club matter. An Ipswich statement issued on Monday said the club fully supported the Rainbow Laces campaign but also respected their captain’s decision.
Morsy was the only Premier League captain not to wear the armband at the weekend. The Wolverhampton-born Egypt international, 33, also makes no secret of his pro-Palestine views.
Kieran McKenna made four changes to his Ipswich side, including Harry Clarke, who replaced the injured Axel Tuanzebe at right-back. Clarke has found stepping up a level tough to say the least, managing to score an own goal, concede a penalty, and get sent off in the same match, at Brentford, in his only previous start this term. Glasner brought Cheik Doucoure back into Palace’s midfield in place of Jefferson Lerma.
Ipswich fans sang Morsy’s name as McKenna’s men got off to a lively start and Guehi was called upon to reach Leif Davis’s cross just ahead of Dara O’Shea at the expense of a corner.
O’Shea was booked for a clumsy felling of Ismaila Sarr before Doucoure picked up a yellow card for stopping Ipswich’s other Clarke, Jack, launching a swift counter-attack.
Doucoure then fired a shot off the body of Jacob Greaves to earn Palace a corner. Ipswich dealt with that but were relieved Trevoh Chalobah headed wastefully over soon after.
A spell of Palace pressure almost found a breakthrough for Eberechi Eze, who was played in behind the Ipswich defence only for the chasing Wes Burns to get a touch on the shot and goalkeeper Aro Muric spread himself to make the save.
Ipswich almost took the lead at the other end but Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson was able to grab Harry Clarke’s header at his near post.
Fear of a second yellow for Doucoure expedited his replacement by Lerma for a second half that began with Liam Delap heading at Henderson.
Delap’s night worsened when a poor pass led to Palace breaking the deadlock through Mateta in the 59th minute. Lerma led the counter with a ball to Eze, who sent the striker racing towards goal down the inside left channel. Jacob Greaves lost his footing and Mateta produced a fine dink to beat Muric as Harry Clarke lunged.
Eze slipped Mateta in again soon after but this time Muric saved. Ipswich huffed and puffed and replaced the ineffective Delap with Ali Al-Hamadi.
A chance fell to Morsy 10 minutes from time and the Ipswich midfielder, a rare scorer, obliged home fans’ cries of ‘shoot’. His long-range effort flew well wide however; it was not his night but Guehi and Palace’s, whatever the FA may think.
The point was proved again at the death when Greaves’ header across goal brushed the far post, eluding substitute Nathan Broadhead in the process.
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