Mateta finds winning goal all the sweeter as it earns Palace derby victory at Millwall
Jean-Philippe Mateta reckoned that scoring the winning goal in Crystal Palace’s 2-1 win over Millwall was made all the sweeter because of the fantastic atmosphere inside The Den on Saturday afternoon.
Benik Afobe had opened the scoring when Jack Butland failed to clear the ball, before Michael Olise’s curling effort found the top corner straight after the restart.
Mateta scored the Eagles winner just before the hour mark as Palace progressed to the next round.
“I knew it yesterday,” Mateta told Palace TV about the atmosphere at The Den. “Marc [Guéhi] told me they are crazy, and I saw. It’s a derby, a very good atmosphere.
“I like it. I’m a professional and in this game I scored, so I’m very happy. If I play, I score. I do my job, and we win, that’s it.
“It was very hard, they started with the goal before us and we go in [after] the first half in the dressing room hard, because 1-0 is hard against Millwall.
“We came back in the second-half and scored with [Michael] Olise, and after I scored it was very nice.
“[Will Hughes] Hughesy recouped the ball, he gave it to me. I gave it to Olise and he made the cross, and I was here. I finished, I did my job.
“It was nice in front of the Millwall fans. Very nice.”
PICTURE: KEITH GILLARD