Mateta hat-trick helps Palace comeback to beat Plymouth

In a thrilling encounter at Home Park, Crystal Palace orchestrated a stunning comeback, clinching a 4-2 victory against Plymouth to advance to the League Cup third round. 

The hosts took an early lead after a precision delivery by Tyreik Wright was cleverly nodded back into the danger zone by Callum Wright, allowing Ben Waine to thunder the ball home from close range. 

Palace's response was swift and determined, and they thought they had levelled when Jesurun Rak-Sakyi fired home, but the effort was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

The Championship side missed a golden chance to extend their lead before half-time, as Mickel Miller failed to capitalise on an opportunity to set up a teammate, sending his shot wide. 

However, moments into the second half, Luke Cundle found himself with space on the edge of the box and clinically slotted the ball into the top corner and doubled the lead for Steven Schumacher's men.

As the situation seemed dire for Crystal Palace, manager Roy Hodgson executed a game-changing triple substitution, introducing Jeff Schlupp, Ebere Eze, and Jordan Ayew. 

First, Odsonne Edouard provided a lifeline for Palace, tapping home a lovely cross from Jordan Ayew with 58 minutes on the clock.

Eberechi Eze set up Jean-Philippe Mateta for a close-range finish merely three minutes later, leveling the score and fueling Palace's resurgence.

And almost immediately from kick-off, Jeffrey Schlupp located Mateta, who emphatically netted his second goal, propelling Palace into the lead.

Mateta secured his hat-trick in the 83rd minute, with a powerful effort from a tight angle to put the game beyond doubt.