The 2025-26 Premier League season delivered a spectacle of unforgettable matches, marked by high-scoring thrillers and dramatic conclusions. Among the standout encounters, a nine-goal and a seven-goal barnstormer captivated fans, alongside a chaotic denouement at Anfield and a fiercely contested Tyne-Wear derby.
It’s a rare occasion when a center-forward scores a hat-trick yet leaves the field feeling disappointed. However, in the 10th minute of stoppage time, Jean-Philippe Mateta of Crystal Palace missed a golden opportunity to secure victory in this pulsating fixture. From eight yards out, he struck the ball down, much to the dismay of the South Norwood faithful. The match itself was a rollercoaster of emotions for everyone involved.
Crystal Palace found themselves trailing 2-0 by the 37th minute, with Junior Kroupi netting a brace. The home side’s hopes were rekindled in the 63rd minute when Mateta registered his first Premier League goal of the season at Selhurst Park. This strike, which followed a lengthy VAR check for offside, ignited the stadium. Just five minutes later, the French forward stretched to connect with a Daniel Muñoz cross, leveling the score at 2-2.
The drama continued as, in the 89th minute, James Tavernier delivered a low cross into the six-yard box, and Ryan Christie seemed to snatch all three points with a clinical finish. However, there was still time for Mateta to complete his hat-trick from the penalty spot, albeit before missing his late, decisive chance.
