‘We got the win for JP’ – Crystal Palace goalkeeper credits Ipswich win to sidelined striker Mateta

BY ANDREW MCSTEEN

Crystal Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson credited Saturday’s 1-0 Premier League win over Ipswich striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

In a match lacking consistent quality, Ismaila’s Sarr 82nd minute strike was enough to see off the visitors as the Eagles made it three Premier League wins in a row after dispatching Villa and Fulham previously.

The result meant that Oliver Glasner’s side have recorded 22 points in their last 10 Premier League game, only outdone by league leaders Liverpool, with 24 – a complete turnaround to the beginning of the season when it took nine games for the side to record their first league victory.

Now, the Eagles have a break from competitive action until their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on 29 March, with an in-season training camp in Marbella and international break in-between.

“It’s the hard work we’ve put in on the training pitch when things weren’t going great,” said Palace goalkeeper Dean Henderson about what he thought has been the reason for the turnaround. “Everyone’s bought into what the manager’s wanted. Going forward, we’ve got to trust the plans. It’s been phenomenal. The run of form is great. We’ve just got to keep churning the wins out and see how far it can take us. If we lost or drew, I think it’s ‘typical Palace’ – it’s not taking that extra step when we’re doing so well.

“Credit to Ipswich, I thought they were brilliant, they were great,” added Henderson. “I was very surprised. They played some great stuff, they’ve got some good players, and they’re fighting for the lives, so we know they’re going to come with everything, which they did. Sometimes you’ve got to be ‘backs against the wall’ at times and games are going to have opportunities. I thought we showed our experience to ride it out and then get the breakthrough towards the end.

“It’s so important to take three points into the break and [then] build on it when we get back. It’s massive. Obviously, we can relax for a few days now, chill. Get out the pressure cooker as it is, and just get ready for the important games when we get back.”

The result was the ninth league clean sheet for Henderson this season helping the SE25 side to the joint third-best defence in the top flight this season, on 33 goals, which includes conceding five at home to Arsenal last December.

“Someone once said that clean sheets are probably the most important thing (in football). Goals win you games – we know we can score goals – but clean sheets win you competitions,” said Henderson. “IAt the start of the season, it was our Achilles heel; we weren’t scoring enough goals and we were leaking them at the back. We’ve worked hard to turn that around, which we have done, and the relationships are great at the back now, and you can see that. The strike force is coming together nicely.

“When you’re in [the game] and you get an early save, a good save early on in the game, you’re in a good mood for the day. I was delighted,” added Henderson about making a number of key saves against Ipswich. “Everything was coming off. There were some big moments and I’ll probably reflect on them on Match of the Day tonight.”

After scoring what turned out to be the winner, Sarr paid tribute to the missing, injured striker Jean-Philippe Mateta by replicating his goal celebration ‘kicking the corner flag’ routine.

Mateta needed 25 stitches after colliding with Millwall keeper Liam Roberts in their 3-1 FA Cup fifth round win.

“We love JP to bits,” said Henderson. “He’s been phenomenal for us. IT was great from Ishmaila to do that celebration today, and it’s a great take as well, to chip it over – a great, calm finish. We’re just delighted we got the win for JP.”