Crystal Palace midfielder Will Hughes was delighted for Jean-Philippe Mateta after he scored in victory over Norwich City yesterday.

The midfielder has played four consecutive matches for the south Londoners, having joined in summer. He registered his second assist against Norwich after winning a sixth-minute penalty Odsonne Edouard duly converted.

Reflecting on the game, Hughes said: “I don't think we started great in terms of intensity but I think that settled everyone down, the 1-0 lead. And I think we built from there."

The midfielder found praise for Mateta, who scored Palace's second. Asked how he felt players making an appearance after a spell largely on the sidelines, Hughes singled out his French teammates, saying:

“It was brilliant from JP – he deserves it. He's been working really hard and his performance and goal he really deserved. That's why we have a squad of 25, because when players are missing for whatever reason we have players to step in."