Jean-Philippe Mateta’s clinical double secured a comprehensive 2-0 victory for Crystal Palace over West Ham, lifting them to 12th in the Premier League standings. The match proved to be a difficult afternoon for West Ham, who ended the game with 10 men and failed to register a single shot on target. Their defeat highlighted their pressing need for reinforcements, particularly in attack, as they struggled to break down Palace’s well-organized defense.
From the outset, Palace dominated possession and pressed high, controlling the tempo of the match. West Ham, by contrast, appeared sluggish and lacked the creativity to pose any serious threat. The opening goal came in the 48th minute, shortly after the second half began. Eberechi Eze, who was excellent throughout the game, played a crucial role in the buildup. His precise assist found Mateta, who finished confidently, drilling a low shot past West Ham goalkeeper Lukasz Fabianski. The goal was a result of a smooth passing move that involved several Palace players, demonstrating their fluid attacking play.
West Ham’s response was flat. Despite making changes at halftime, including bringing on Carlos Soler for Guido Rodríguez, they continued to struggle in the final third. West Ham’s attacking play was disjointed, with Lucas Paquetá and Tomas Soucek failing to provide enough support to Mohammed Kudus, who had been pressed into playing as a false nine. Kudus found himself isolated and outnumbered by Palace defenders, unable to make any impact. The lack of creativity and intensity in their play was evident, and they failed to create any meaningful chances throughout the match.
Palace, on the other hand, looked dangerous every time they attacked. The visitors were disciplined and composed, making the most of their opportunities. West Ham’s defensive frailties were exposed when Mateta, after receiving a pass from Eze, raced past West Ham’s Maximilian Kilman, who was unable to prevent the striker from scoring. The goal effectively sealed the match, as West Ham were unable to recover from the blow.
Manager Graham Potter’s frustration was clear as he made a triple substitution in an attempt to change the game. Paquetá, Aaron Cresswell, and Emerson were replaced by Danny Ings, Oliver Scarles, and teenage debutant Lewis Orford. However, these changes had little impact, and Palace continued to control the game. West Ham’s problems were compounded when Konstantinos Mavropanos was shown a second yellow card for a high boot on Mateta, reducing them to 10 men in the final stages.
In the 89th minute, Palace wrapped up the win when Mateta scored from the penalty spot. Eddie Nketiah had been fouled by Fabianski, and Mateta made no mistake with the resulting penalty, sealing the 2-0 victory. West Ham’s inability to mount any significant challenge highlighted the extent of their struggles, while Palace’s performance demonstrated the value of a clinical striker and cohesive team play.
For Palace, the win extended their unbeaten away run to seven league games, and the three points moved them 11 points clear of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, West Ham’s disappointing performance underscored the urgent need for reinforcements, particularly in attack, as they continue to search for a new striker to strengthen their squad.
