Really enthused by Mateta, I have to say. Still a bit rough around the edges, but I love his bravery and shot selection. Imagine how we'd all be feeling if his overhead kick and the backheel yesterday had gone in - Neither were very far off, frankly.

I've long been fed up of Benteke, and whilst his resurgence of late is encouraging he still cuts a very slow figure in a fast paced game and whilst his link up and holding play at times is much underrated I'd alway go for genuine goal threat from my forwards given a choice.

He's significantly better than Benteke IMO - actually makes runs and moves like a striker.

Should have took his chance yesterday when Olise slipped him through but overall I thought he had a good game - he's a handful and looks like he still has scope to improve.

it would help if he put in a tackle or even got close to someone to put one in which he did not do all the time he was on the pitch .
Good job it was Mateta who missed those chances because if that were Benteke we would have not heard the end of it

Disagree entirely. He only looked okay yesterday because he'd set such a low bar for himself. Whereas CB had previously set such a high bar at Villa and Belgium, we expect him to be world class. He's not world class...but he's a damn sight better than lanky Mateta...imo.

Guess that's the beauty of forums hey.

I realize that the Benteke haters and the Benteke lovers are never going to agree about the merits or otherwise of his continued presence in our squad BUT I reiterate that debates over whether Mateta or Benteke is the better striker miss the point. The real issue on this thread is whether or not Mateta is the future for Palace given that he's 24 and has a good 6/7 years potential top-flight football ahead of him. We and no doubt the club need to see having more game time to help reach a conclusion. IMO the few recent appearances he has had suggest he might just turn out to be the striker we need, especially if he and Edouard can build a good partnership.

We all know what Benteke can and can't do and PV will undoubtedly turn to him when he feels Benteke to be the right option for a particular opponent.

I thought that was Edouard but then I was some distance from the attempt.