Crystal Palace edged into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a 3-1 win against local rivals Millwall, but the victory was tainted after Jean-Philippe Mateta was stretchered off.
The incident came inside six minutes. Mateta challenged for a high ball just outside the area when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts came out of his box, catching the Palace striker’s header with his high boot.
After a check of the pitchside monitor, referee Michael Oliver sent Roberts off, with Mateta receiving almost 10 minutes of medical attention on the field before being taken off. He was taken straight to hospital.
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish described it as ‘the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I’ve ever seen’ when talking to the BBC at half-time.
Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta lies injured following a high boot from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts
The Eagles began to rack up the chances with the additional player, and made the breakthrough in the 33rd minute – although not from one of their own. Millwall defender Japhet Tanganga nodded home from Will Hughes’ cross, beating substitute goalkeeper Lukas Jensen.
Seven minutes later, Crystal Palace doubled their lead and Tanganga had another hand. Daniel Munoz turned home from inside the six yard box, but the goal was initially ruled out for offside.
Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz celebrates scoring their side’s second goal of the game
This was overturned by Oliver, and VAR confirmed the goal would stand after the ball came off Tanganga before Munoz turned home – meaning he was not offside.
But with the final kick of the first half, Millwall gave themselves a lifeline. Matt Turner initially pushed away a cross, but it landed to the incoming Wes Harding, who fired home.
And the Lions began the second half well, and will feel that they should have equalised. But once Crystal Palace settled, it was clear they would see the game out, and added the safety of a third goal in the 81st minute.
Eddie Nketiah celebrates his goal against Millwall
It was a deserved goal for Eddie Nketiah, who replaced Mateta. Eberechi Eze’s free kick was nodded on by Chris Richards, before the former Arsenal striker looped a header home to secure Crystal Palace’s spot in Sunday’s draw.
Parish: I’ve never seen a challenge like it
Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish to BBC Sport at half-time on Jean-Philippe Mateta’s injury:
“He’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. He’s at the hospital and we hope for the best.
“There’s a lot of emotion in football but we need to talk about that challenge. I’ve never seen a challenge like it… that’s the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I’ve ever seen.
Players from both sides look on as Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta receives treatment
“He needs to have a long, hard look at himself because he’s endangering a fellow professional with a challenge like that.
“And why the referee needs to go to the screen, I have no idea… If you’re kicking him in the head at full force, who knows what kind of damage could be done.”
