Under 72 hours since sealing their place in a European final, the Eagles faced yet another tight turnaround this season, hosting an Everton side pushing for a high finish in the Premier League table.
Twice they trailed – but twice they fought back, as goals from Ismaïla Sarr and Mateta – off the bench in the second-half – secured a valuable point from an entertaining game.
Jordan Pickford was in fine form in the Everton goal to deny Palace all three points, but in the end, the Eagles could be satisfied with a draw.
Mateta told Sky Sports after the game: “I'm still annoyed about the chances, but it’s okay – we came back two times and I think we deserved that point.
“This is Crystal Palace. We had the game on Thursday, and we wanted to win today and we nearly won, but in the end it's one point.
“We never give up, and that's why I'm happy to be with this team too.”
Speaking in the same interview, fellow goalscorer Sarr – who made it 20 goals for the season in all competitions with his fierce left-footed drive in the first-half – added: "It was a tough game, Everton are very physical.
"Our team was ready for this game. I'm happy to take one point, but we needed three points today and came out with a draw. We will prepare for the next game.
"This team is very good, I'm happy and I give 100% to the team."