Football 5g2n52

Jean-Philippe Mateta suffers horror head injury just eight minutes into FA Cup tie against Millwall 3m1d4f

Author photo
By
Oliver Taliku
Author photo
Oliver Taliku Sports Editor

Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews, while at Chesterfield he worked in a similar role but with the academy side, as well as some first team content. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in football as well as long form SEO content plus news, tips and betting but also produces content on basketball, baseball and American football.

Get to know Oliver Taliku better
Sports Editor

Published01 Mar 2025

Disclosure
We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team.

Jean-Philippe Mateta was stretchered off the pitch with an injury just eight minutes into Crystal Palace’s FA Cup tie against Millwall, after a taking a horrific high-boot to the head.

Jean-Philippe Mateta injury update 3k3f2d

Millwall were buzzing at the start of their FA Cup fifth round tie against Crystal Palace and the game kicked off with real energy from both sides.

Unfortunately for Millwall fans and the neutrals watching on, the game took a dramatic turn just eight minutes after kick off with a horror tackle on Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The Palace striker thought he was in on goal as he tried to control the ball on the edge of Millwall’s box but as he came to meet the ball, so did opposition keeper Liam Roberts.

Roberts clattered into Mateta on the edge of his box and although it looked like he got the ball at first, the 30-year-old was out of control with his challenge.

On closer inspection, Roberts’ boot was so high that it caught a jumping Mateta on the top of his head leaving the Frenchman in a heap on the floor.

Crystal Palace’s medical team immediately rushed onto the field to assist Mateta, with referee Michael Oliver making his way over to the pitch-side monitor to consult VAR.

Oliver only needed one look at the screen to make his decision as Roberts was shown a straight red which was sure to change the game completely.

The main concern on the field was over Mateta though and after a lengthy spell on the floor receiving treatment, the Palace striker was finally stretchered off the field.

Mateta was able to give a thumbs up to fans as he was walked down towards the corner of the field, with an ambulance preparing to take him to hospital straight away.

Palace will be gutted to lose Mateta, who has played 53 of the last 57 games for the Eagles, scoring 15 goals this season in his best campaign to date.

Eddie Nketiah replaced Mateta up front against Millwall and the former Arsenal man is expected to take his teammate’s place should he need to miss any games going forward.

Related 5n541c

Football
Cai Parry  •  10H
Football
James Chittick  •  11H
Club World Cup
Cai Parry  •  11H
Boxing
James Chittick  •  12H
Author photo
Oliver Taliku
Sports Editor

Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews, while at Chesterfield he worked in a similar role but with the academy side, as well as some first team content. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in football as well as long form SEO content plus news, tips and betting but also produces content on basketball, baseball and American football.

Get to know Oliver Taliku better
Author photo
Oliver Taliku Sports Editor

Olly Taliku has worked with highly respected sports and gambling websites where he has produced hundreds of articles, as well as being published with Burton Albion and Chesterfield FC. At Burton Olly worked closely alongside the women's team, producing mainly matchday content including reports and interviews, while at Chesterfield he worked in a similar role but with the academy side, as well as some first team content. He also has experience as an accredited Premier League and EFL writer for Prost International where he worked during the 2021/22 season to produce matchday content as an on location reporter. Olly specialises in football as well as long form SEO content plus news, tips and betting but also produces content on basketball, baseball and American football.

All posts by Oliver Taliku