Crystal Palace are still searching for a first win of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign after a 2-1 defeat against Everton on Saturday.
The winless streak at Goodison Park continued for Crystal Palace – who have not beaten the Toffees on Merseyside since 21st September 2014 – as a double from Dwight McNeil cancelled out an opener from Marc Guehi.
That win took place so long ago, that our goalscorers on the day were Mile Jedinak, Fraizer Campbell and Yannick Bolasie, all of whom left Selhurst Park many years ago now.
Unfortunately, a much stronger side consisting of gems such as Eberechi Eze and Adam Wharton could not match that result on Saturday.
However, Micah Richards felt Crystal Palace should have been given the chance to make it 2-0 from 12 yards after an incident involving Jean-Philippe Mateta…
What Micah Richards said about Jean-Philippe Mateta situation in Everton 2-1 Crystal Palace
Speaking on BBC Match of the Day, the 36-year-old felt James Tarkowski was fortunate to avoid punishment for a challenge on the Crystal Palace No.14 just inside the box.
Richards said: “I think he takes him out on both legs. I think Tarkowski knows exactly what he is doing. He looks at the referee. He knows he is guilty. It is on the line. He gets a little bit of the ball. He gets both legs if I am being totally honest about the situation.”
In case you missed it, the Everton No.6 lunged into Mateta, who could receive a France call-up soon, as the score remained 1-0 during the opening 45 minutes.
VAR did have a look at the incident, but decided to stick with Andy Madley’s decision of no penalty – despite a guilty look from Tarkowski, as Richards alluded to.
Oliver Glasner may have to drop Mateta or Eddie Nketiah
Mateta wanted to leave Crystal Palace this summer, but has since enjoyed a remarkable 2024, scoring five goals in six outings for France at the Olympic Games, while netting 17 in 21 appearances under Oliver Glasner.
However, the 27-year-old has struggled to click with Eddie Nketiah since the England international arrived in a £25m move from Arsenal on transfer deadline day.
The Crystal Palace No.9 is by no means a right winger, having only made ten appearances in that position for Arsenal, but has been asked to operate in this area, where the distance between him and Mateta is often too large for any impactful combinations to take place.
Therefore, Glasner must consider dropping either Mateta or Nketiah, with Ismaila Sarr – a man who has performed very well in the few minutes afforded to him – coming in to act as more of a provider.
As you can see below, the Senegal international has been very busy in terms of chance creation when called upon this season, but is yet to be rewarded with a start for his efforts.
| # | Player | Minutes | Chances created (excluding set-pieces) | Chances created per 90 (excluding set pieces) |
| 1 | Joe Willock | 66 | 5 | 6.82 |
| 2 | Ismaila Sarr | 55 | 4 | 6.55 |
| 3 | Ian Maatsen | 62 | 4 | 5.81 |
| 4 | Ilkay Gundogan | 131 | 5 | 3.44 |
| 5 | Alejandro Garnacho | 140 | 5 | 3.21 |
Of course, it will be tough to justify dropping Mateta given his immense goal record in 2024 – but it would also be a bold move to drop a £25m signing in Nketiah so soon after his arrival, so Glasner certainly has a selection headache, to say the least.
