Crystal Palace

Manchester City are considering making a summer bid for 21-year-old Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton. (TBR Football), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Highlights and analysis from Saturday's six Premier League fixtures.

If you missed Match of the Day, you can catch up now on BBC iPlayer.

Listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Liverpool 3-1 Southampton

• Brentford 0-1 Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Oliver Glasner spoke to Premier League productions after Crystal Palace's victory against Ipswich: "It was an amazing goal from Ismaila Sarr and we took the win. We are really proud because it's a third win in a row in the Premier League. It's a tough thing for any team to do and these guys did it. It's a great statement."

"Sarr is really doing well and it was a great decision. We had two chances - both times the goalkeeper was on the grass and saved it. Then the third time, he chipped the ball and it was the right decision to give us the three points."

"We now have three weeks without a game and it is important for us to use this time in the best way to make sure we are ready for the crunch time."

On winning without Jean-Philippe Mateta: "I don't think Mateta never won a game alone. He has always needed his team-mates. That was the same today. He gets the credit for scoring the goals but all the others help as well. They work hard, create chances and he finishes. Keeping a clean sheet is also important. It is always a team effort.

"I'm sure [Mateta] already saw [Sarr's celebration] and usually, he sends a text into the players' group. It's part of the great spirit in the group and everybody supports each other. It helps. We have a great group together between working hard and celebrating and always wishing the best for your team-mates. That's something I really appreciate and a basement for success."

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Ismaila Sarr's winning goal secured another important three points for the Eagles as they continue their run of good form.

The victory over Ipswich means it's the Eagles fourth in a row and they have lost just one of their previous 13 matches.

Sarr is having an excellent season for Palace and has now scored seven goals and registered three assists in 28 league games.

The Senegalese international was moved into a central striking role when Eddie Nketiah was withdrawn and his chipped winning goal was an excellent piece of skill.

Sarr then copied Jean-Philippe Mateta's trademark celebration by wheeling away and kicking the corner flag, to shouts of 'boom' from the Selhurst Park crowd.

The celebration has been seen many times in the last 12 months and Sarr did it in honour of Mateta who has been ruled out after having 25 stitches to a cut on his head following a challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

"I did it for [Jean-Philippe Mateta]. He is my guy. He is a good guy. But he is doing good." Sarr said.

Image source, PA Media

Only Liverpool (25) have won more Premier League points so far in 2025 than Crystal Palace (19 – W6 D1 L2).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Palace's performance

What did you make of Ipswich's display?

Come back to this page on Monday to find a selection of your replies

Six matches make up Saturday's Premier League action and BBC Sport will bring you every kick.

• Nottingham Forest v Manchester City (12:30)

• Liverpool v Southampton - full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Crystal Palace v Ipswich Town

• Brighton v Fulham

• Brentford v Aston Villa (17:30) full commentary on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Wolves v Everton (20:00)

All kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

The question is how Crystal Palace are going to cope without Jean-Philippe Mateta, who was injured in their FA Cup win over Millwall.

Mateta scored the winner when Palace beat Ipswich at Portman Road in December, but it is not just his goals that the Eagles will miss - it's his presence up front that has been so important for them too.

I am guessing Eddie Nketiah will lead their attack in his absence, and this is a big chance for him to shine.

There was heartbreak for Ipswich in the FA Cup, losing on penalties to Nottingham Forest, and now all they have to look forward to is a relegation fight.

The Tractor Boys have not won a league game this year, a run of eight games, so can they get something at Palace? I don't think so.

Sutton's prediction: 1-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has revealed that "everybody is in touch" with Jean-Philippe Mateta, after he was carried off with a head injury during last Saturday's FA Cup win over Millwall.

The striker is set to miss Ipswich Town's visit to Selhurst Park on Saturday, but it is hoped he will be available after the international break - which runs from 17-25 March - as the Eagles head to Marbella for a warm-weather training camp.

When asked about how his team-mates have rallied around him in his pre-match news conference, Glasner said: "To be honest, it wasn't a big topic here in our training ground. Everybody had two days off and everybody is in touch with JP, messaging him.

"I think everyone could see how he was on the evening of that Millwall game. He had already announced that he was all good and everything was fine with him.

"That's how he is - he is such a lovely person - so everyone knows he is doing well and he will be back soon.

"I think his mother has come over from France and she is taking care of him, so he is in the best hands. When your mother looks after you, it is the best thing you can have. He has great support at home so we don't have to take care of him.

"When he goes with us to Marbella, he will also be in good hands and hopefully he will start training with us."

Millie Sian
BBC Sport journalist

Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Ipswich Town at Selhurst Park (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jean-Philippe Mateta is "doing well" after being carried off with a head injury in their FA Cup win over Millwall. He added: "He is at home and recovering well. He had no fractures or concussion and healing from the huge wound is going as we expected."

• He added that the striker will travel with the squad to Marbella next week for a warm-weather training camp but he will "be training individually". It is hoped that Mateta will be available to face Fulham, which is their first match back after the March international break.

• When asked if he supports the FA's push for goalkeeper Liam Roberts, he replied: "I neither support or don't support. It's their decision. For me, I know he has apologised to JP because he texted him. He knows he made a mistake, but he decided it in 0.1 second."

• Will Hughes is unavailable after picking up a two-match suspension for receiving 10 yellow cards this season.

• The players "will need to perform at their best" to beat relegation-threatened Ipswich, but they have shown "a lot of confidence" in training this week.

• Kieran McKenna has formed "a very good" Ipswich team that are "very aggressive and very organised". He added: "They are fighting for survival in the Premier League. They know they need some points, and the games are getting less and less."

• On his manager of the month nomination, he said: "I don't care about these things. My medal from the Europa League is somewhere next to my bed - I haven't seen it since I got it! Everything we achieve, we achieve as a team. As a manager, you are nothing without your players. So everything I achieve as a person, I have to give 100% of it to the players. It is their credit."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Crystal Palace forward Jean-Phillipe Mateta could emerge as a summer transfer target for Manchester United.

United head coach Ruben Amorim has already said he will have to sell before he buys this summer.

However, yet again after the 1-1 Europa League draw with Real Sociedad, Amorim admitted goalscoring was a huge problem for his team.

Mateta could be the answer. The 27-year-old has scored 15 goals for Palace so far this season and while the France forward could propel the Eagles to an historic first FA Cup triumph, he is ambitious and hoping to be part of France's 2026 World Cup squad. A move to United might help that.

Rasmus Hojlund drew another blank in Spain. The 22-year-old has not scored since December and it would be a surprise if Amorim did not try and reinforce his striking options this summer. Mateta appears to fit the right profile.

Mateta, whose contract expires in 2027, is currently sidelined after having 25 stitches inserted in the wound created by a red card challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup at Selhurst Park on Saturday.

However, he is expected to be on the club's short break to Marbella and could return for the FA Cup sixth round tie at Fulham on 29 March.

Manchester United are considering a summer move for Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta. (Sun - subscription required), external

West Ham are among the clubs looking to sign Southampton's England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, this summer. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

As Thomas Tuchel approaches his first England squad, I'm wondering who may make an appearance from the slightly less obvious candidates.

It could be too soon for this England squad, but I would go for Ben Chilwell hoping that with more minutes and with the relationship he has with Tuchel he could be an answer.

The Champions League season he had under Tuchel at Chelsea was his best. He speaks about it personally and what an impact it had on him.

I think the left-back position has been a bit a of a struggle for England in recent years so if Tuchel can get the very best out of Chilwell again it is an opportunity.

It's a controversial one, people will probably fire daggers, but I'm ready for it. If Chilwell can get back playing regularly it is a position he can command. He's not that old, only 28, so it's not like he is past his best. He definitely isn't at all.

He just needs a good run of games. His time at Chelsea towards the end was not great. I saw him in the FA Cup at the weekend against Millwall and he looks happier.

When you can get someone playing regularly, looking happy - and he has that prior relationship with Tuchel - then they are an asset.

I would put him ahead of Arsenal's Myles Lewis-Skelly in terms of maturity. Whether this squad has come too soon I don't know but I would like to see it. He has international experience as well.

Maturity and know-how in the backline is so important and I think Chilwell has that. Defensively we've been quite light so he is my pick.

Fara Williams was speaking to BBC Sport's Nat Hayward

Adam Oxley
BBC Radio Sheffield

Image source, Getty Images

Loan winger Jesurun Rak-Sakyi has more than played his part in an excellent season so far for Sheffield United.

The 22-year-old has spent the majority of his time on the right of an attacking midfield three in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which Blades boss Chris Wilder introduced last summer when Rak-Sakyi arrived from Crystal Palace.

His pace and trickery has been exciting to watch out wide but it's been in and around the penalty area that he's made his eight goal contributions.

Rak-Sakyi's six goals have all been scored inside the box, showing a mixture of quick feet, good movement, good awareness, composure and a ruthlessness when faced with a one-on-one situation.

His two assists both set up Tyrese Campbell, with the two summer signings developing a good relationship alongside Callum O'Hare and Gus Hamer.

Rak-Sakyi still has work to do to establish himself as a consistent, 90-minute player. There have been halves of football where he's been ineffective, but these have been few and far between. Excellent team displays against Middlesbrough and Leeds United recently have seen Rak-Sakyi really stand out.

The winger has only completed one full game in the Championship, and he missed six matches over Christmas and into the New Year with a muscle injury.

Rak-Sakyi has started 19 league matches, usually playing 60-70 minutes, and his eight sub appearances have often been as an impact player at the same point in a game, as Chris Wilder rotates his attacking options.

Alex Howell
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Nketiah has an opportunity to get his stuttering Crystal Palace career going while Jean-Philippe Mateta is out injured.

The 25-year-old has found it difficult in his first season in south London, taking time to adapt to Oliver Glasner's 3-4-3 formation.

The form of Mateta has also made it tough for Nketiah to get a consistent run of games in his favoured central striking role.

However, Nketiah scored his first Premier League goal in the 4-1 win over Aston Villa and then followed it up with an excellent headed goal against Millwall.

Scoring in consecutive games for the the first time this season could be just the boost Nketiah needs as Palace enter an exciting part of the season, chasing a top-half finish and with an FA Cup quarter-final coming up.

The former Arsenal striker is likely to play against Fulham with Mateta recovering after having 25 stitches to a cut around his ear after the challenge by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts.

Glasner spoke highly of Nketiah after the match and with Ipswich next up at Selhurst Park, the forward has a chance to continue the momentum he is starting to build.

Image source, Getty Images

Over the past 14 Premier League matchdays, only Liverpool (33) and Arsenal (29) have earned more points than Crystal Palace (27) - but only eight of those points have come at Selhurst Park.

The Eagles have never lost a Premier League game against Ipswich (W4 D1), winning the past four. Their most recent top-flight home match against them was a 3-0 victory in November 1994.

Southampton and England defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis, 23, wants to remain a Premier League player next season amid interest from Crystal Palace and West Ham. (Football Insider), external

Crystal Palace could join Liverpool and Aston Villa in the race for Wolfsburg's Greece centre-back Konstantinos Koulierakis, 21. (Caught Offside), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

The sickening injury to Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta in the FA Cup game against Millwall was a hard watch. Fortunately he will be OK we hear, which is great news, but I also felt a little sympathy with the goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Yes, he had to see red and he was clearly out of control and reckless, but I am convinced that it was in no way deliberate.

Charging out of his goal, panicked and leading with his left foot he never once looked at Mateta, only the ball. Mateta similarly only had eyes for the ball and that's when the worst injuries happen because you don't brace for the impact at the last moment.

Goalkeepers are being asked to do what they aren't great at, to come out of their areas to become players, rank amateurs against top professionals. I also wonder how reactions might have been different if Roberts had pulled out of making a challenge and Mateta had put the ball into an empty net, would everyone have been praising his safety-first approach or questioning his commitment?

Gone are the days when keepers were allowed to and indeed encouraged to "clean out everyone and everything" in front of them, ball, attackers or defenders, in the knowledge they would be over protected by the officials. I felt the physical pain of those "over enthusiastic" challenges myself over the years and it didn't feel fair then.

My sympathy comes from the fact that goalkeepers have to be incredibly brave and, more often, come off second best. Forwards usually lead with their boots in 50/50 challenges while the keepers are usually low with their hands and often their heads in the danger areas. Strikers are still encouraged to go in with full force on these occasions by their managers and many pundits, even when the keeper's head is in the danger zone.

So for every Schumacher v Battiston clash (here it is on YouTube, kids, external), or Roberts v Mateta, there are just as many serious fouls on the stoppers.

Chelsea's Petr Cech was horrifically injured against Reading and had to wear protective headgear for the rest of his career due to skull damage, he could have been killed. Many years ago in the FA Cup final, German keeper Bert Trautmann had his neck broken, and amazingly played on! There was a wonderful goalkeeper for Glasgow Celtic, Johnny Thompson, who tragically lost his life after a challenge with Rangers centre-forward Sam English. And there have been many more tragedies and near tragedies.

So yes, the Millwall goalkeeper had to be sent off but, because it wasn't deliberate, I cannot be angry with him however ever ugly it looked.

Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter