 |
| Crystal Palace's French-born striker Jean-Philippe Mateta (L) celebrates after scoring his team second goal during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Leicester City at Selhurst Park in south London on April 1, 2023. |
Crystal Palace snatched victory over fellow strugglers Leicester City as Jean-Philippe Mateta scored deep into stoppage time in Roy Hodgson’s first game since returning as manager.
Palace were dominant and recorded 20 shots by the break – the most in a Premier League half by any side since 2015 – but struggled to make a breakthrough.
They were made to pay for their wastefulness shortly into the second half when substitute Ricardo Pereira unleashed a well-struck effort after being teed up by Timothy Castagne.
But Leicester’s lead was short-lived as Palace equalised only three minutes later when Eberechi Eze’s free-kick hit the crossbar and deflected in off goalkeeper Daniel Iversen’s back.
Palace captain Wilfried Zaha was forced off in the first half after pulling up with a groin injury.
The hosts won in dramatic fashion as Mateta turned his marker before slotting a low Jordan Ayew ball past Iversen.
Palace now sit five points clear of the drop zone in 12th, with Leicester one point adrift of safety in 18th.