Premier League Hands Down Ban After Spurs’ 2-0 Win, and Supporters Are Livid
Crystal Palace have suffered another setback after their 2-0 loss to Tottenham, with Jean-Philippe Mateta set to miss their next three Premier League matches. The striker was sent off for a dangerous challenge on Micky van de Ven, and the automatic suspension for serious foul play will now keep him out of action.
The incident happened 13 minutes into Saturday’s game at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mateta slid in late for a loose ball and caught Van de Ven around the Achilles with his studs, immediately alarming the home fans. Referee Michael Oliver first showed a yellow card, but VAR sent him to the pitchside monitor, and after reviewing the footage he upgraded it to a straight red. Palace were left with ten men for almost the whole match.
The dismissal was especially costly for a side already under pressure after a poor run under Pierre Sage. Spurs used their extra man to take the lead in the 25th minute, when Archie Gray headed in a Mohammed Kudus corner. Palace tried to stay in the game, but Roberto De Zerbi’s team kept control and added a second through Jan Paul van Hecke in the 73rd minute. It was Tottenham’s third straight league win and lifted them to eighth, while Palace dropped into the relegation zone.
Mateta’s absence will be felt for longer than one afternoon. A straight red for serious foul play normally means a three-match ban, so he is expected to miss league games against Liverpool, Coventry City and Hull City. That is a heavy loss for Sage, as Mateta had only just returned from injury and started the previous two matches. His physical presence, hold-up play and threat in the box have been key to how Palace attack.
Sage must now look at alternatives, with Eddie Nketiah among those who may have to take on more responsibility up front. The timing is awkward given Palace’s league position and the growing pressure on the manager, and the home game against Liverpool at Selhurst Park now looks even more important without their main striker.
Tottenham, meanwhile, can take plenty of encouragement from the way they punished Palace after getting the early advantage. Van de Ven will also be relieved to have avoided a serious injury, as the tackle could easily have caused much worse.
Palace could appeal the red card, but overturning a sending-off for serious foul play would be difficult. Unless that happens, Mateta will have to watch the next three league games from the sidelines before preparing for his return.
