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Mateta: Palace boss Hodgson sent me on with 'put it in the net' orders

Jean-Philippe Mateta delighted proving Crystal Palace's matchwinner against Leicester City.

The striker entered the field in the 86th minute, with the score at 1-1 against Leicester, and struck the winner four minutes into injury time.

The forward told Palace TV that manager Roy Hodgson instructed him to: “'Keep pressing.' If I had one chance, to put it in the net. It's what I did, yeah!"

The No. 14 reflected: “Finally, I would say. I'm very happy we won this game. It's very good for me. I've been waiting for this moment a long time and finally I scored today.

“I'm very happy to kick that corner flag – boom! Everything is back now."

As for the pinpoint through-ball from fellow substitute Jordan Ayew, Mateta told Palace's website: “When I came on, he said when he had the ball he would look for me.

“When he had the ball, I knew the ball was coming, and I was just thinking about my first touch. I knew I made a good first touch and I would finish this chance.

“I'm very happy for the fans and supporters. I'm very happy. Today they supported us until the finish, and everybody's happy and hopefully more wins are coming. They deserve them."

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