EPL

Cooper seeking answers from Premier League after Mateta sucker punch

By Sports Desk September 14, 2024

Leicester City manager Steve Cooper wants the Premier League to provide clear evidence as to why Jean Philippe Mateta's first goal was given in their 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace.

Mateta netted a brace to deny Leicester their first win of the season, but his first goal was originally flagged as offside before it was overturned after a VAR review.

Cooper's side had performed brilliantly to take a two-goal advantage up to that point, with goals from Jamie Vardy and Stephy Mavididi putting them in a comfortable position.

However, the Leicester boss was left with a sour taste in his mouth, confirming he wants greater clarity on why Palace's first goal was awarded.

"I really want to see the image that says that was definitely onside because at the moment we have a few questions to ask of the Premier League," Cooper said. 

He wanted to take the positives from the encounter, but could not deny that the late Mateta equaliser from the penalty spot was a painful one to take.

"There's definitely loads of good in the game, but if I'm being honest, it feels like a loss," Cooper added.

"Sometimes a point away from home ends up being really important, it might not feel like it at the moment, but it might be. 

"We just needed to manage those moments after going 2-0 up, which we didn't quite do."

Palace boss Oliver Glasner was also disappointed to only pick up a point but praised their character after coming back from two goals down to avoid a third loss in their opening four league matches.

Glasner said: "We are not happy with the point, but I'm really pleased and delighted with the spirit and the character of the players again.

"With the great support from the stand, we had a very good belief today, and with a great impact also from our subs, and let's say all this together, keeping the belief, having a great support from the stand, and having a good impact from our subs. Then we came back. I think it's a compliment for the team for this comeback."

The Austrian was also pleased with his two debutants, Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah, with both featuring for the entirety of the match.

“Maxence was solid, and also we could see that it was his first competitive game for a very long time in some parts, but he was solid," said Glasner.

"Eddie showed what he showed during training, what we expected from him: he always can threaten the goals.

"He was a little bit unlucky with the two or three finishes he had, but he had good movements, and also before the very important penalty, he made this run and blocked the defender."

Related items

  • 'We played two different games' - Maresca hails Chelsea response in Bournemouth win 'We played two different games' - Maresca hails Chelsea response in Bournemouth win

    Enzo Maresca felt Chelsea reaped rewards for "getting your t-shirt dirty", as they snatched a late victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

    The Blues endured a steady start with their hosts generating the greater attacking threat for most of the contest, with Robert Sanchez keeping out Evanilson's first-half penalty.

    Marcus Tavernier and Ryan Christie also struck the woodwork for the hosts, but substitute Christopher Nkunku landed the decisive blow five minutes from time.

    And Maresca was pleased with his side's response to a difficult first-half performance.

    "We played two different games," he told Sky Sports. "The first half, we struggled. We didn't win duels, we didn't win second balls. The second half, we were much better.

    "We knew before the game that Bournemouth are very high pressing, man to man orientated. We faced a team who are very aggressive, it was more off the ball that we struggled. [The] second half completely changed the picture.

    "This is football. Last time against [Crystal] Palace, we completely deserved to win the game. We had chances and we drew. Today, it was there and, in the end, we won.

    "You cannot come here to this stadium and think about winning the game without getting your t-shirt dirty. You need to win duels, you need to fight. If we are able to do this for 95 minutes, you have more chances to win games."

    Maresca handed a debut to new signing Jadon Sancho, who was introduced as a half-time substitute before providing the assist for Nkunku's winner.

    And the Manchester United loanee lifted the lid on how he is finding life since his switch to Stamford Bridge.

    "It's amazing to make my debut for Chelsea," he told Sky Sports. "Just being back playing, I'm very grateful. The team played very well, we dug in to the end and got the three points.

    "I've been working hard for this moment, and I'm happy I got my chance. Going into this season, I wanted to have a good start, and I'm happy.

    "I have to say thank you to the staff and team-mates. The first day I came in, they made me feel welcome and comfortable."

  • Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Late Nkunku strike snatches victory for Blues Bournemouth 0-1 Chelsea: Late Nkunku strike snatches victory for Blues

    Christopher Nkunku proved Chelsea's hero as his late strike secured a narrow 1-0 win over Bournemouth in the Premier League.
     
    The forward climbed off the bench to strike the winner five minutes from time at the Vitality Stadium, where Robert Sanchez kept out Evanilson's first-half penalty.

    Bournemouth looked the more likely to take all three points in the contest, with Marcus Tavernier's long-range thunderbolt rattling the crossbar early on.

    Sanchez then came to rescue on 38 minutes by denying Evanilson from 12 yards, albeit after he had conceded the spot-kick for a foul on the Brazilian.

    The woodwork denied the Cherries again after the break, with Ryan Christie seeing his precise low effort hit the outside of Sanchez's right post.

    However, it was Chelsea who snatched the points with five minutes remaining. Receiving the ball from Jadon Sancho, Nkunku cleverly skipped away from a couple of challenges before slotting past Mark Travers in the Bournemouth net.

    Data Debrief: More happy travels for super sub Nkunku

    Nkunku's piece of individual brilliance settled the contest. All four of his Premier League goals for Chelsea have come away from home as a substitute.

    The Blues held out at the other end to claim their first away league clean sheet in 18 attempts, while winning four straight matches on the road for the first time since 2022.

    Meanwhile, history was made at the Vitality Stadium with the referee showing a total of 14 yellow cards; the highest amount issued in a single Premier League game.

  • Milan 4-0 Venezia: Fonseca earns first win with rout Milan 4-0 Venezia: Fonseca earns first win with rout

    Four goals in the first 30 minutes helped Milan ease the pressure on Paulo Fonseca in a resounding 4-0 win over Venezia on Saturday.

    Milan had a disappointing start to the Serie A season, with two draws and a loss, but they delivered an impressive performance to secure their first win of the campaign.

    Theo Hernandez gave Milan the lead after just 88 seconds with a shot from a tight angle which deflected off Venezia keeper Jesse Joronen's legs and into the net.

    The hosts doubled their lead 14 minutes later when a low corner found its way to Youssouf Fofana, who fired into the net.

    Two quick penalties, first from Christian Pulisic in the 25th minute and then from Tammy Abraham four minutes later, put the match out of reach for the newly promoted visitors.

    Venezia thought they got one back late in the game, but were denied by a VAR review after Hans Nicolussi Caviglia's reckless challenge on Ruben Loftus-Cheek in the build-up. 

    Having been shown his first yellow card just five minutes earlier, the midfielder was then given his marching orders, rounding off a dismal day for the visitors.

    Data Debrief: Quick off the mark

    The Milan fans were not happy with Fonseca after a below-par start to life at Milan, but he will have quietened some of that criticism after an emphatic display at San Siro.

    Milan scored four goals in the first 30 minutes of a Serie A game for the first time since October 1958 against Alessandria.

    And Abraham looks to be settling into his new surroundings quickly - he has been involved in a goal in two consecutive Serie A appearances for the first time since January 2023 (three on that occasion for Roma).

© 2024 SportsMaxTV All Rights Reserved.