Jean-Philippe Mateta spot-on to give Crystal Palace comeback win against Newcastle

Go back to last April and Newcastle brought the thrills against Crystal Palace, putting five past Oliver Glasner’s side at St James’ Park, the victory closed by an Alexander Isak special. How things have changed. At Selhurst Park this time round, the visitors succumbed to a third successive defeat, Jean Philippe-Mateta’s penalty in injury time adding to the misery for Eddie Howe’s team.

William Osula’s close-range finish before half-time, against the run of play, had put Newcastle in front if not in control. Howe’s side looked short of confidence even with the lead, still on the mend from those sapping defeats last month by Barcelona and, crucially, Sunderland.

Palace seized upon this, with Glasner introducing Mateta off the bench in the second half. The talismanic Frenchman headed in the equaliser with 10 minutes to play and his second was set up by some silly shenanigans in the area. Sven Botman tugged the shirt of Jefferson Lerma to prompt the spotkick; Mateta slotted into the bottom right corner to end the contest.

Palace, unlike the visitors, entered with a bit of pep, life all hunky dory after their Conference League rout of Fiorentina at home. They find themselves within touching distance of a European semi-final, handing Glasner a real chance to leave this summer with another trophy. There is a certainty here. Glasner’s confirmed departure will follow Marc Guéhi’s in January and Eberechi Eze’s last August. The core that won the FA Cup is being dismantled, but there’s still the prospect of one final, joyous night out.

There is less clarity when it comes to Newcastle, who had their own moment of release at Wembley last year. But something is coming to an end here, too, with Howe’s future under constant question. The big names entering their prime – Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon – are getting the rumour mill treatment. Kieran Trippier, the first signing under their Saudi owners, confirmed during the international break that he is on the way out. There is no cup still to play for, just a handful of league games to press for Europe before the potential break-up.

Howe made six changes from the team that lost to Sunderland three weeks ago, his bench spelling out the season’s difficulties: Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade began as substitutes, Osula leading up top. There was little for the centre forward to run on to in the early moments, Maxence Lacroix and Jaydee Canvot close enough to whisper sweet nothings into his ear.

Osula showed his frustration with Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall for the lack of adequate service from the Newcastle left, and Palace looked comfortable for most of the opening half. Aaron Ramsdale was the first keeper to be properly tested, diving to his left to stop Yeremy Pino, who launched from the edge of the area, and reacting well to deny Daniel Muńoz on the rebound. Canvot headed over from a corner for Palace after Gordon played an errant pass in his own half. Howe’s side looked lost in London.

William Osula scores past Dean Henderson for Newcastle at Selhurst Park. Photograph: Jeff Mood/ProSports/Shutterstock

And yet it was Osula and Newcastle who were celebrating just before half-time. Some tidy work on the right set up Lewis Miley for a low cross. Lacroix failed to adequately intercept and Osula, lurking behind and already on the ground, untangled his legs to slot in for his third league goal of the season. The 22-year-old’s confidence-boost showed immediately, a stepover winning him a free-kick before the whistle.

He very nearly had another five minutes after the break, when Chris Richards failed to control a backpass. Osula burst into the area but Dean Henderson made himself big. Glasner, rotating his side as they navigate their European adventure, made the big switch after the hour mark. On came their prized assets: Adam Wharton, Ismaïla Sarr and Mateta.

The equaliser very nearly arrived from Lerma. Pino sent in a teasing free-kick from the right and the midfielder, free at the far post, could not keep his header down as it crashed off the crossbar. Sarr made a mazy run into the area as Palace pressed, the equaliser on its way. It was created by the rampaging wing-backs. Muñoz cross from inside the area found Tyrick Mitchell, he opted for a lobbed ball to Mateta – calm amid the penalty-area chaos – and the Frenchman headed in.

The electric Sarr then played a teasing cross as he tried to find Mateta’s head once more but the ball escaped reach. Mateta would have the final say not long after.