Mateta Bags HAT-TRICK In Thriller With Bournemouth

Mateta Bags Hat-trick In Thriller With Bournemouth

Jean-Phillipe Mateta continued his fine form this season with a hat-trick in Crystal Palace's 3-3 draw at home to AFC Bournemouth.

The Cherries looked to have been cruising to the three points at half time, courtesy of 19-year-old Eli Junior Kroupi's brace that gave them a 2-0 lead.

Mateta's quick brace of his own in the 64th and 69th minute fired an otherwise flat Selhurst Park into life.

However, their bubble was seemingly burst in the final minute of normal time, Ryan Christie tapping in from close range via Marcus Tavernier's cut-back.

There was yet another twist to the tale though, when Bafode Diakite clumsily wrestled Marc Guehi to the floor in stoppage time, allowing Mateta to convert from the penalty spot to seal his hat-trick and save Palace's unbeaten start to the season at Selhurst Park.

Remarkably, one final chance fell to the French striker for him to win one of the best matches in recent history from eight yards out in the 90+9th minute.

Agonisingly for the home crowd, their hero of the afternoon leaned back and skied the ball way over the crossbar.

The draw means Bournemouth were denied the chance to move top of the table - at least until Arsenal kicked off later in the afternoon.

As for the Eagles, they sit in eighth but have now drawn more games this season than any other outcome.