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Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has assured fans he is recovering well after a brutal challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts left him needing 25 stitches.
The shocking incident occurred just eight minutes into Saturday’s FA Cup fifth-round match, as Roberts charged out to clear the ball but instead caught Mateta’s head with his boot. Initially, referee Michael Oliver showed no card, but after a VAR review, Roberts was sent off.
Mateta received extensive treatment on the pitch, including oxygen, before being stretchered to an ambulance and taken to hospital.
“Thank you for all your kind messages. I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for a great job today,” Mateta wrote on Instagram after the match.
Palace later confirmed the striker had been discharged, stating, “He received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear. All scans were clear, and JP is feeling well. He will now rest and recuperate over the following days, with his progress monitored by our club doctor.”
Palace manager Oliver Glasner condemned the reckless challenge, suggesting it could have ended Mateta’s career.
“Just imagine if he hits his face straight, with his power, with the studs—it is the end of JP’s career,” Glasner said. “I’m sure he didn’t mean to injure him, but you cannot challenge in this way.”
Mateta, who had been in superb form with eight goals in his last nine games, has 15 for Palace this season. The 27-year-old was also instrumental in France’s silver medal run at the Paris Olympics last year.
Club chairman Steve Parish echoed Glasner’s concerns, calling it the “most reckless challenge” he had ever seen.
“He’s got a bad gash behind his ear and a head injury. That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen. That lad needs to take a long, hard look at himself because he endangered a fellow professional—maybe even his life—with that challenge,” Parish told the BBC.
Despite the early chaos, Palace capitalised on their numerical advantage to secure a 3-1 victory and book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Millwall defended resolutely until Japhet Tanganga’s own goal broke the deadlock. Daniel Muñoz doubled Palace’s lead, but Wes Harding pulled one back for Millwall deep into first-half stoppage time, which had been extended due to Mateta’s injury.
Palace sealed the win in the 82nd minute when Eddie Nketiah’s looping header found the far corner, ensuring their progression to the last eight.
