Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta sent social media into a frenzy after a stunning 30-yard lob in the 83rd minute helped Palace hold Arsenal to a dramatic 2-2 draw, a result that all but hands the Premier League title to Liverpool.
Coming off the bench, Mateta capitalized on a costly William Saliba error, intercepting a loose pass and launching a world-class strike straight into the top corner. Fans and pundits have since dubbed the French forward a “true VARclaysman”, a playful nod to the drama-filled era of modern Premier League football.
Reactions flooded in:
- @HLTCO: “Joke of a finish. JP Mateta is a true VARclaysman.”
- @Yugdeep_LFC: “Shame on PGMOL for making Saliba assist Mateta for the goal.”
- @KennyCPFC: “This man has it all. Absolute star. JEAN PHILIPPE MATETA.”
- @xAlexTHFC: “Mateta, such a ‘streets won’t forget’ player.”
- @MatchdayCPFC: “One of the best strikers on Earth. Hold-up play elite. Finishing elite. Work-rate elite.”
Even Crystal Palace’s official account joined the banter, cheekily trolling Arsenal after the match.
With the draw, Liverpool now lead Arsenal by 12 points, have a game in hand, and only need one point against Tottenham on Sunday to officially clinch the Premier League crown.
One thing’s for sure Mateta’s rocket may go down as the goal that decided the 2024/25 Premier League season.
