Recap

Mateta and Mitchell Hit-Home as Palace Beat West Ham Amid Growing Tension

London Stadium — Crystal Palace delivered another blow to West Ham’s faltering season with a 2-1 win on Saturday, leaving the Hammers deeper in crisis while Palace remain unbeaten. The victory came on a match day overshadowed by fan protests demanding radical change at West Ham, with manager Graham Potter under intense scrutiny. ESPN.com+2Reuters+2

Key Moments

• First Half: Palace took the lead in the 37th minute when Jean-Philippe Mateta headed in from a corner, after Daichi Kamada’s delivery caused havoc in the crowded box. ESPN.com+1

• Second Half Response: West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen equalised early after the break, nodding home a corner taken by El Hadji Malick Diouf. It looked as though the hosts might claw their way back into the match. ESPN.com+1

• Decisive Blow: The winner came in the 68th minute via Tyrick Mitchell’s powerful volley — a moment of brilliance that Palace needed to seal the win. whufc.com+1

Implications & Atmosphere

• West Ham’s Woes Deepen: This defeat marks their fourth loss in five Premier League fixtures. The London Stadium crowd, already restless, voiced their frustrations with chants and boos, particularly regarding defensive frailty — especially from set pieces. ESPN.com+2whufc.com+2

• Palace’s Solid Start: Crystal Palace’s unbeaten run continues. Under manager Oliver Glasner, they demonstrated opportunism and discipline, particularly in handling one of West Ham’s long-standing weaknesses. ESPN.com+1

Tactical Notes & Player Performances

• Set-Piece Vulnerability: The corner that yielded Palace’s first goal underlined West Ham’s continuing struggle with defending dead-ball situations — the sixth goal conceded from corners already this season. ESPN.com+1

• Bowen’s Effort: Jarrod Bowen showed fight and leadership, stepping up to respond when his side needed it, but ultimately finding no team momentum. whufc.com+1

• Mitchell’s Moment: Tyrick Mitchell’s volley provided the game’s highlight — precise, composed, and crucial. He was rightly praised for his decisive contribution. Sky Sports+2whufc.com+2

What’s Next

West Ham now find themselves in the bottom three, with pressure mounting on Potter and his coaching staff. They’ll need to regroup quickly as they head into an away game against Everton amid growing fan unrest. ESPN.com+2Reuters+2

For Crystal Palace, this is another positive result to build upon, as they continue with momentum and confidence, aiming to climb further up the table. whufc.com+1