Jean-Phillipe Mateta bullied West Ham’s centre-backs in his match-winning show… hardly ever have we seen a metamorphosis as outstanding because the one the Crystal Palace star has had

Jean-Phillipe Mateta stepped over the ball with one foot, knocked it by means of the legs of West Ham’s Konstantinos Mavropanos with the opposite, skipped previous him and waited for the rugby sort out to observe.

Two minutes later, the Crystal Palace striker charged at Max Kilman with such goal, all of the defender may do was retreat till Mateta let fly and rippled the again of the online.

A excessive boot to his head from Mavropanos late on, having held him off and turned him with ease, was sufficient for the referee to brandish the Greek’s second yellow card.

Hardly ever will you see a ahead bully a pair of centre backs so brutally as Mateta did in his two-goal, match-winning efficiency in opposition to West Ham. 

And infrequently have we seen a metamorphosis as outstanding because the one he has loved beneath supervisor Oliver Glasner.

For the reason that Austrian changed Roy Hodgson in February, Mateta has 21 targets in 35 league video games. Solely Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak have extra.

Glasner was eager to not single out Mateta for reward, however he’s a linchpin for Palace’s revival.

At occasions, he’s unplayable. ‘When he’s enjoying to his capabilities, it’s arduous to cease him,’ mentioned Palace’s Will Hughes. 

‘Bodily, technically, he’s obtained every thing — tempo, energy, hold-up play, method. It’s nice to play with him.’