Why was Jean-Philippe Mateta sent off in Tottenham Hotspur vs Crystal Palace Premier League 2026-27 clash?

The striker recently returned from an injury.

Jean-Philippe Mateta, striker for Crystal Palace, was sent off in a Premier League game against Tottenham.

Referee Michael Oliver gave the Frenchman his marching orders after a late lunge on Spurs defender Micky van de Ven during his rare appearance following an injury-plagued start to the season.

In an attempt to regain the ball with power, Jean-Philippe Mateta slid in carelessly, but his studs struck Van de Ven’s Achilles, seriously affecting the centre-back.

The home crowd was worried as the Spurs captain rolled about on the ground in agony following the tackle, but he escaped that worst-case scenario.

Jean-Philippe Mateta sent off with a rough tackle on Van De Ven

After the video assistant referee told Oliver to go to the screen, Jean-Philippe Mateta’s yellow card for the late charge was swiftly upgraded to a straight red.

The visitors used their 3-4-2-1 formation without a designated striker and were not compelled to make an early substitute in the first half.

Since their 3-1 triumph over previous manager Oliver Glasner and Nottingham Forest at the beginning of the month, Sage’s team has not won. Since then, they have been beaten 5-0 by bitter and high-flying rivals Brighton and Hove Albion and lost 2-0 at home to fellow underperformers Newcastle United.

Following the red card, Palace decided not to make any changes, leaving Dwight McNeil and Yeremy Pino as the most skilled players in red and blue.

After being brought back in recent weeks due to a hamstring injury incurred during Palace’s first match against Everton, it was a dismal conclusion to just the forward’s third appearance in the Premier League this season.

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