Jean-Philippe Mateta is braced for a difficult afternoon at Newcastle United, but believes victory at St James’ Park would provide a crucial lift for Crystal Palace.
The French forward opened both his and Palace’s 2026 account with a powerful header against Fulham earlier this week, continuing a personal trend of scoring the Eagles’ first goal of the calendar year.
Targeting momentum at St James’ Park
Palace arrive on Tyneside without a league win in five matches, but Mateta sees the fixture as an opportunity to reset momentum.
“It’s always tough to go there,” he admitted. “I think I’ve only won once there. But I hope we’re going to win.”
The striker stressed the importance of breaking the current run.
“It’s very important to win games because we’ve struggled for a few weeks. A win would be a big boost for us.”
Consistency driving Mateta’s improvement
Mateta has now started every Premier League game this season, a level of consistency he believes has transformed his output.
“Do better than last year. This is every year,” he explained. “That’s what I say to myself.”
He credits confidence, minutes and the environment around him for his development.
“We have a good team, good players around me and a good manager. When a striker is confident, he can score a lot of goals.”
After scoring 17 league goals last season, Mateta remains convinced he can threaten in every match.
“I work hard and try to be consistent. I believe I can score every game.”
Glasner influence proving decisive
Mateta was quick to highlight the impact of Oliver Glasner, describing him as a demanding but motivating presence.
“In a team you need a winner, and he’s a winner,” Mateta said. “He asks a lot because he knows our potential.”
The forward believes that pressure has directly contributed to his scoring rise.
“That’s why I think I’ve scored a lot of goals. He pushed me, and I try to show him I can be a striker for every game.”
ean-Philippe Mateta 2025/26 season stats
| Stat (2025/26) | Jean-Philippe Mateta |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 30 |
| Goals | 10 |
| Assists | 2 |
Key insights
- Mateta sees Newcastle trip as momentum opportunity
- Confidence and minutes have fuelled his scoring rise
- Glasner’s demands are driving Palace standards
- Palace striker targeting improvement year on year
What this means for Crystal Palace
With fixtures coming thick and fast, Palace’s ability to turn performances into wins will shape their early 2026 trajectory. Mateta’s form and mindset suggest the Eagles have a forward ready to lead that push, particularly if they can secure a statement result on Tyneside.
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