Mateta's Late Double Sparks Crystal Palace Comeback Against Newcastle

Substitute Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice to lead Crystal Palace to a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Newcastle, leaving the Magpies' European aspirations hanging by a thread. Will Osula's first-half goal had given Newcastle the lead, but Mateta's introduction turned the tide, as he headed in the equalizer before converting a penalty in injury time to seal the win. The defeat piles pressure on Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, whose side has now dropped 25 points from winning positions this season, the most in the Premier League. Crystal Palace, meanwhile, leapfrogs Newcastle into 13th place on goal difference, while the Magpies remain five points off seventh-place Brentford. Newcastle goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale lamented his team's inability to hold onto leads, saying, 'It's probably the story of our season at the minute - getting into winning positions and not being able to hold onto the lead.' Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner praised his team's psychological strength and hailed Mateta's impact off the bench, saying, 'For me, it's been a massive performance today, not just regarding football, also psychologically.' The win marks a significant turnaround for Crystal Palace, who had failed to muster a single shot on target in the first 30 minutes. However, with the introduction of Mateta, Adam Wharton, and Ismaila Sarr, the Eagles' attack sparked to life, and they dominated the second half. Newcastle's defeat has significant implications for their European ambitions, and with six games remaining, the pressure is mounting on Howe to turn things around.