Discover how Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty secured a thrilling 2-2 draw for Palace. Read about the match highlights and key moments that defined the game.
Introduction:
Crystal Palace and Leicester City have had the most exciting 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stoppage-time penalty denying Leicester their first win since returning to the Premier League. Jamie Vardy took an early lead and Stephy Mavididi doubled Leicester’s advantage shortly after halftime. Nevertheless, Mateta’s brace, including the late penalty, rescued Palace from defeat as both teams were hunting their first win this season.
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Leicester Grab Early Initiative
Leicester City started well again, specially with Jamie Vardy, who proved once more his instincts of a predator for goals. Vardy ran on to a pass, chipping it over the Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson for his second goal of the season, thrusting Leicester City into a 1-0 lead. He looked such a composed experienced man, so easily finishing the move.
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Still, the Eagles continued probing and had their chances, especially in the first half, where Wilfred Ndidi did a great job to create a space for Jordan Ayew; Jordan Ayew could not keep his volley down. The Eagles continued probing, and Jean-Philippe Mateta threatened Leicester’s goal several times. One of his finest chances was blocked heroically by Leicester defender Wout Faes and that kept the visitors in the lead going into the break.
Mavididi Doubles Leicester’s Lead
Leicester exploded out of the blocks, scoring their second within 23 seconds of the restart to double their advantage. Stephy Mavididi seized on a defensive lapse from Crystal Palace to score after Nathaniel Clyne’s woeful clearance presented the Leicester forward with an easy task from close range. The Foxes were driving the challenge at 2-0, and it appeared they were set to collect their first win of the season.
Mateta Sparks Palace’s Comeback
But Crystal Palace refused to lie down. Less than a minute after Leicester scored their second goal, Tyrick Mitchell delivers a perfect cross into the box and Mateta gets a simple finish to give Palace hope. The goal was first ruled offside but after a VAR review, it was awarded, reducing the deficit to 2-1.
Palace were the dominant side, with most of their attacks going through Eberechi Eze. In the second half, despite pressure mounting, Leicester’s defense largely held firm in an encounter that was often interrupted by interceptions through Ndidi and Faes.
Late error by Coady leads to penalty.
Leicester seemed to hang on for a precious three points, but careless in injury time, the Foxes were punished. Substitute Conor Coady fouled Ismaila Sarr within the penalty area, and after a moment’s hesitation the referee pointed to the spot. Mateta stepped forward, nerves of steel, and certainly chipped away the penalty, sending the Selhurst Park crowd into a frenzy as Leicester was denied all three points.
Palace’s Blush-Stained Debut Continues
Crystal Palace will feel a bit fortunate in taking the point as they were given a two-goal deficit. Mateta had scored a total of two goals that at least settled for Oliver Glasner’s side a point at the very least as this season is still in search of getting a win. Both of Eddie Nketiah and Maxence Lacroix made promising debut, and Eddie Nketiah was the only one who was unfortunate in not having the score as he came extremely close to scoring during the second half. Eze’s creativity and Mateta’s finishing were bright spots for Palace.
Defensive errors still mar their efforts, however. Nathaniel Clyne’s error for Leicester’s second goal was a good example of lapses in concentration that have bothered them at the start of the season.
Glassner’s side has to bounce back quickly as they are gearing up for a daunting test against Manchester United next weekend. Defensively frail though they were, Palace showed character to claw back from two goals down and will look to build on that spirit moving forward.
Leicester’s Disappointment
Leicester was one game that got away for Leicester. Steve Cooper’s team had all the three points in their bag but were denied it at the very end due to a late error. Ndidi, who played further forward, was simply wonderful – assisting in two incidences and making runs beyond the Palace defense line to create dangerous moments. However, even Ndidi wasn’t enough to see it through.
The Foxes will be unhappy that they didn’t take the first league victory on their list, especially after taking a 2-0 lead. In injury time, a foul by Conor Coady to his side was costly, and an inability by Leicester to compose itself during the closing stages should bother Cooper as they go to Everton for their following game.
Both Sides Still At Loss
With this result, both Crystal Palace and Leicester City share a winless tally in four Premier League matches played. Although both lie only just outside the relegation zone, it is clear by far that they will not end up anywhere near the top of the table. Though this draw brought with it some positives, it also showed areas that need improvement if they are serious about moving up the table.