Mateta on taking on Newcastle & 2026 targets

The France international was on target with a bullet header against Fulham three days ago, opening his and the Eagles’ account for 2026 in an eventual 1-1 draw.

The fixtures have come thick and fast for Palace and Mateta over the festive period, with the Eagles’ top scorer having started every Premier League game so far this season – and Mateta is targeting today’s trip to St. James’ Park as an opportunity to help Palace to a first league win in five matches.

The 28-year-old admitted: “It's always tough to go there – I think I’ve only won once there [2-1, back in February 2021] – but I hope we're going to win there.

“It's very important to win games, because we've struggled for a few weeks and for a few games now. A win would be a good boost for us.

“And I know when we start to win one, we'll keep on winning.”

It is the second consecutive time that Mateta has scored Palace’s first goal of the year, after having done so in a draw with Chelsea last January.

The Frenchman last year went on to score 17 times in the Premier League, one fewer than his total of 18 goals in 2024 – but a marked upturn from his first three years in English football’s top-flight.

Mateta attributed his transformation into one of the league’s finest goalscorers to his desire to: “Do better than last year. This is every year. This is what I say to myself.

“I think that I play a lot, a lot more. We have a good team, I play with good players around me, a good Manager as well. And all of that brings me a lot of confidence as well.

“You know, a striker, when he's confident, he can score a lot of goals. And myself, I work hard and I try to be very consistent – and I can believe I can score every game.”

Mateta also praised his Manager, Oliver Glasner, stating: “I think he was important for me because in a team you need a winner, you know? And he's a winner. He's always wanting to win.

“Sometimes he asks a lot from me, and from everyone, you know? And because he knows our potential, and he knows my potential, that's why he pushes me hard.

“That’s why I think I scored a lot of goals – because he pushed me. I try to show him as well that I can be a striker for every game.”

Match Details

Newcastle v Crystal Palace

Sunday, 4th January
15:00 GMT
Premier League
St James' Park
Live audio commentary on Palace TV+.