‘I don’t think he got the credit he deserved’ – Patrick Vieira full of praise for FA Cup hero Jean-Philippe Mateta

Patrick Vieira hailed Jean-Philippe Mateta’s performance and said the forward “gave everything” in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final win over Everton today.

The French forward scored the Eagles’ second of the match with an emphatic first-time finish past Jordan Pickford.

Marc Guehi gave Palace the lead in the 25th minute when he placed a pinpoint header from Michael Olise’s corner past the Everton goalkeeper. And two late strikes from Wilfried Zaha and substitute Will Hughes booked Palace’s place in the next round.

Mateta has featured in the last 12 games under Vieira and has scored four goals in all competitions.

“I am really pleased, and I am really happy for him because I don’t think that JP got the credit that he deserved against Manchester City or in the last couple of games he played,” said Vieira.

“He had a massive impact on the team, and that is why I am happy for him because he got rewarded with the goal that he scored.

“He has been running all around the place. On the offensive side, he has been running in behind, holding the ball and stretching the opposition back three.

“He came off, but he gave everything. I am really, really happy with what he is bringing to the team.”

Guehi was called up to Gareth Southgate’s senior England squad in midweek, and Vieira believed his opener capped off a “big week” for the 21-year-old.

“That is Marc – he is really calm and composed,” added the Frenchman.

“You see the way he celebrated the goal. He is doing really well, and that is good for the team.”

Speaking of Palace reaching Wembley for the first time since the 2015-16 season, Vieira added: “We don’t want to get too excited. We want to enjoy the day, it’s a really good day for the club, but we only went one step forward.

“I want us to keep working well, keep working hard and try to improve – that will allow us to be stronger as a team.”