Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe Mateta has now been discharged from hospital following a horrific head-high tackle by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

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  • Mateta discharged from hospital after challenge
  • Striker undergoes 25 stitches to his left ear
  • Palace chairman tears into Roberts' tackle
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  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    Mateta was stretchered off at Selhurst Park on Saturday during the Eagles' 3-1 win over Millwall, after the French striker was caught by a head-high tackle by the visitors' goalkeeper Roberts outside the box. Crystal Palace have now announced that Mateta has been discharged from hospital after having to undergo 25 stitches to a "severe laceration" to his left ear. The statement also confirmed that the 27-year-old had normal scans and was feeling well despite the concerning scenes on the field.

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    THE BIGGER PICTURE

    Initially, surprisingly enough, Roberts was not sent off by referee Michael Oliver; however, after VAR stepped in, the Millwall keeper was shown a straight red card for the dangerous tackle. Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish has now labelled Roberts' challenge as "the most reckless" he has ever seen and claimed that the keeper was "endangering a fellow professional".

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    WHAT PARISH SAID

    Speaking to the media at half-time, Parish said: "There's a lot of emotion in football but we need to talk about that challenge. I've never seen a challenge like it… that's the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I've ever seen.

    "He needs to have a long, hard look at himself because he's endangering a fellow professional with a challenge like that.

    "And why the referee needs to go to the screen, I have no idea… If you're kicking him in the head at full force, who knows what kind of damage could be done."

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    WHAT NEXT FOR MATETA?

    The French striker provided an update from the hospital on Saturday night and wrote on Instagram: "I'm doing well. I hope to be back soon and stronger than ever." However, Mateta's recovery schedule will now depend on how his injury continues to heal.