'First time in the Premier League' - Jean-Philippe Mateta has to retake penalty after freak incident as Crystal Palace score against Manchester United

React to this story

Crystal Palace were awarded a penalty in the first half of their Premier League clash with Manchester United after Jean-Philippe Mateta was felled in the box by Leny Yoro. What followed was a Premier League first, as Mateta required two attempts to beat Senne Lammens and give Palace the lead at Selhurst Park. It was the Frenchman's seventh league goal of the season.

'Do it again' - Mateta scores penalty after bizarre retake controversy against United

Video credit: TNT Sports

Crystal Palace thought they had gone in front against Manchester United after Jean-Philippe Mateta casually slotted home a penalty in the first half, sending goalkeeper Senne Lammens the wrong way.

Mateta wheeled away, running to the corner flag and kicking it in his trademark celebration.

But he and his Palace team-mates were stopped in their tracks when it became clear that a VAR check was underway.

Premier League

Carrick lauds 'fantastic' youngsters after Man Utd thrash Rosenborg

24/07/2026 at 22:00

It soon emerged, with the help of replays on TNT Sports' live coverage of the Sunday lunchtime match, that Mateta had inadvertently connected twice with the ball.

The Frenchman's right-footed penalty took a glance off his standing left foot on its way into the bottom corner, creating a bobble that initially seemed innocuous. But it was enough to mean the penalty was illegal.

TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher said: "Matt Donohue [VAR] has just looked and he's recommended he retakes it, because it's a double touch. So they're going to have to go back up the other end and do it again."

Moments later, referee Rob Jones made his announcement to an increasingly agitated Selhurst Park crowd.

"After review, Crystal Palace No. 14 touches the ball accidentally twice as the ball goes into the net," the referee said. "My final decision is a retaken penalty."

Co-commentator Ally McCoist said: "You can see when he takes it, it just comes off his left foot. There's a little bit of a bobble. As you'd expect, a mixed reaction from the supporters."

Mateta, maintaining an aura of nonchalance, stepped up again, and the Palace crowd waited with bated breath.

"I'm predicting he's not changing his mind, but the goalkeeper might," McCoist said.

The striker did change his mind, though, stroking the ball into the opposite corner, as Lammens dived the opposite way.

"Great composure," McCoist added. "There's a lot of pressure on him, I don't care what anyone says.

"He's got to take it again, and he did change his mind, I got that wrong. But the end product was exactly the same."

Palace celebrated again, having eventually taken the lead in a more convoluted than expected manner.

In previous Premier League seasons, it would have been a different outcome. The Eagles benefitted from a rule change, with a double-hit penalty once deemed a foul.

"That's the first time we've had that happen in the Premier League, the double touch," said Fletcher.

"Of course, in days gone by, it would have been that the penalty wouldn't count, but they've changed the rules.

"I don't think De Ligt realised that because he went running across to the fourth official with his arms out."

It was frustration for De Ligt and his United team-mates, who struggled in a difficult first half against an in-form Palace side.

But it was delight for Mateta, who netted his seventh Premier League goal of the season at the second time of asking.

Watch the 2025/26 Premier League season on TNT Sports and discovery+

Transfers

Camavinga in Man Utd sights as Real open to Tchouameni sale - Paper Round

24/07/2026 at 07:14

Premier League

Summer transfer window 2026: Every Premier League done deal

4 hours ago

Related Matches

Crystal Palace

Manchester United

Commentary