‘Boom’ time for Crystal Palace striker Mateta but he keeps his goal target secret

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Jean-Philippe Mateta requested that the Crystal Palace faithful “…say ‘BOOM’” every time he kicked the corner flag – a trademark celebration from the French forward after scoring six goals in crucial games last season.

The ‘boom’ element comes from the chant attributed to him by the SE25 fans, the ‘Vengaboys’ Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom!!’ 1998 song.

Unfortunately, the fans could only chant ‘boom’ once more as Mateta, who made the appeal in April, ended the season on seven goals.

But he has already opened his account this season, his 71st-minute strike against Aston Villa at Selhurst Park securing a 3-1 victory, Palace’s first of the season.

“I’m very happy for the fans. I want to say thank you to the fans and I hope for a lot of ‘boom’ this season,” said the 25-year-old to the South London Press.

“Yeah?,” he replied when told it was his first touch after coming on as a 70th-minute substitute for Odsonne Edouard, before realising it was true indeed, his goal coming from an inch-perfect Tyrick Mitchell cross.

“I’ve not scored many [in my career with my first touch] but I’m very happy and I will keep doing this.

“It’s fantastic. I’m proud of the team, of me and the staff and everything. The first win at home, in front of the fans.

“Tyrick makes good crosses and I got on the first post, like the gaffer wants and I did what the gaffer wants. I scored and I will keep doing this.

“It’s not hard for him,” added Mateta about the quality of the cross from the Palace left-back. “He has a very, very good left foot and he will have to find me more this season.”

So how many ‘booms’ can the Palace fans expect this season? Does the striker have a target?

“Yes, I have in my head,” he says with a large smile. “I will tell you it after the last game of the season.”