MATETA HEADS THE WAY FOR PALACE IN 'SET-PLAY BATTLE'

CRYSTAL PALACE beat Brentford at their own game with a Jean-Philippe Mateta header from a free kick and an own goal from a long throw.

- BY NEIL McLEMAN

And only Erling Haaland has now scored more home goals than the lethal France striker in the last 20 months.

Brentford became the set-piece specialists under Thomas Frank - and the Bees have continued the focus under new coach Keith Andrews.

These two London teams had started the day in mid-table but led the Premier League for long throws into the opposition box. And only Burnley had played more long balls.

But it was the FA Cup holders who showed their mastery of the art against a flat Brentford side who took 58 minutes to register the first attempt on target and never looked like scoring.

After three consecutive wins - including a first away win of the season at West Ham - it was a return to their terrible form on the road.