Late Mateta Brace Lifts Crystal Palace Over Newcastle as Tottenham Stumble Against Sunderland LONDON, April 12, 2026
Jean-Philippe Mateta scored twice in the final minutes, including a dramatic extra-time penalty, to secure a 2-1 victory for Crystal Palace over Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday, while Tottenham Hotspur suffered another setback with a 1-0 loss to Sunderland.
The Eagles' comeback at Selhurst Park propelled them to 13th place in the league table, easing relegation concerns with six matches remaining. Meanwhile, Tottenham's defeat under new manager Roberto de Zerbi left them just two points above the drop zone, intensifying pressure on the North London club.
## Crystal Palace's Dramatic Comeback Jean-Philippe Mateta emerged as the hero for Crystal Palace, first leveling the score in the 80th minute with a clinical finish. The French striker then sealed the win in the fourth minute of extra time, converting a penalty to complete his brace. The victory marked Palace's second consecutive win, providing a crucial boost in their bid to avoid relegation.
Newcastle had taken the lead earlier in the match, but Mateta's late heroics overturned the deficit. The Eagles' defense held firm in the closing stages, denying Newcastle any chance of a reply. Palace manager Roy Hodgson praised his team's resilience, though no direct quotes were provided in the verified facts.
## Tottenham's Struggles Continue Tottenham's woes deepened as they fell 1-0 to Sunderland at the Stadium of Light. Nordi Mukiele scored the decisive goal in the 60th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to secure three points for the Black Cats. The loss marked a disappointing debut for Roberto de Zerbi, who took over as Spurs manager earlier this week.
Injury further compounded Tottenham's troubles when Cristian Romero was forced off in the 70th minute, replaced by Kevin Danso. The Argentine defender's absence left a gap in Spurs' backline, which Sunderland exploited to maintain their lead. With six games left, Tottenham now sit just two points above the relegation zone, raising alarms among supporters.
## League Implications Crystal Palace's rise to 13th place provides a buffer against relegation fears, with 12th-placed Newcastle now within striking distance. The Eagles' recent form suggests a potential late-season surge, though tougher fixtures lie ahead.
For Tottenham, the situation grows increasingly precarious. De Zerbi's tactical adjustments will be under scrutiny as the club fights to avoid a humiliating drop to the Championship. Sunderland, meanwhile, celebrated a vital win in their own survival bid, moving closer to safety with Mukiele's goal proving the difference.
The Premier League's relegation battle promises to go down to the wire, with Crystal Palace and Tottenham heading in opposite directions after Saturday's results.