Jean-Philippe Mateta fired Crystal Palace back to winning ways in the Premier League, netting his eighth goal of the campaign to inspire a 2–0 victory over Brentford.
The French striker broke the deadlock on the half-hour mark, before an unfortunate own goal from Brentford captain Nathan Collins early in the second half sealed the result.
The win follows Palace’s emphatic Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool in midweek and ended their run of three league games without a victory.
Palace made a bright start, with Ismaïla Sarr bursting past Kristoffer Ajer down the right but seeing his squared pass cut out by Sepp van den Berg.
The opening stages were tight, though Mateta did test Caoimhín Kelleher with a deflected header from Yéremy Pino’s cross.
The breakthrough came after 30 minutes when Daichi Kamada delivered a teasing free-kick from deep.
Jefferson Lerma nodded it back across goal, allowing Mateta to steer a looping header into the top corner, leaving Kelleher rooted to the spot.
Brentford’s misery deepened seven minutes into the second half when Lerma’s long throw was inadvertently flicked into the net by Collins.
Moments later, the defender’s misplaced pass gifted Sarr a golden chance, but the Senegalese winger’s low strike cannoned off the post.
Despite a flurry of substitutions from manager Keith Andrews, including Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt, the visitors never truly threatened.
Their best opportunity came in the 74th minute when Jensen’s low cross found Janelt, who sliced his effort wide of the target.
It was a comfortable evening for the Eagles, who built on their cup success with a composed and deserved league win.
