Jean-Philippe Mateta experienced a seriously eventful game on Saturday as Crystal Palace and Bournemouth shared the spoils after a 3-3 draw.
The France international scored a hat-trick to ensure the Eagles avoided a second consecutive defeat, earning a place in the Premier League Team of the Week as a result.
Alan Shearer was the man in charge of making those selections, but he has added comments about Jean-Philippe Mateta that the majority of Crystal Palace fans will surely disagree with.
Alan Shearer wrongly claims Jean-Philippe Mateta is in the “form of his life”
A goal for Mateta against Iceland on his first start for France, followed by his three goals against Bournemouth, led the Premier League’s record goalscorer to say: “He’s in the form of his life right now.
“Hot on the heels of his first international goal for France, his brilliant hat-trick inspired Palace’s comeback from 2-0 and 3-2 down against a brilliant Bournemouth team who are flying high in third place.”
Mateta deserves credit for scoring three goals – no doubt about it – but it is absolutely a stretch to say that the Frenchman is in the form of his life.
Jean-Philippe Mateta looks dejected during a Premier League clash between Crystal Palace and Bournemouth
Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images
The Crystal Palace No.14 has missed ten ‘big chances’ in the Premier League this season – more than any other player – and there have been several instances where the man from Sevran has performed more efficiently under Oliver Glasner.
For example, Mateta – who recently upset Wilfried Zaha – scored eight goals in eight Premier League games between January and February of last season.
He also remarkably netted 13 goals in 13 Premier League appearances towards the end of the 2023/24 campaign, so Shearer simply cannot justify his claim that the 28-year-old is performing better than ever before.
Oliver Glasner must start Eddie Nketiah against AEK Larnaca
Make no mistake, we still absolutely adore Mateta, and it is not easy to bag a hat-trick in the Premier League.
However, it speaks volumes that he only began to score against Bournemouth once Eddie Nketiah was introduced in the 64th minute.
The England international played a key role alongside Mateta against the Cherries, proving to be a headache for Andoni Iraola – who praised Crystal Palace – with his smart movement and decision making.
Furthermore, the Crystal Palace No.9 also should have claimed an assist in the 99th minute before his strike partner ballooned the ball high over the bar.
Having also recently scored crucial goals against Dynamo Kyiv and Liverpool, Nketiah deserves to make his first start of the season on Thursday when AEK Larnaca come to SE25.