Mateta's dramatic penalty in added time denies Leicester victory at Palace | Premier League

Jean-Philippe Mateta finished last season in prolific form and the striker rescued a late equaliser for Crystal Palacewith his second goal of the game, a 92nd-minute penalty, denying Leicester their first ever Premier League win. Mateta scored nine goals in his last six games of the previous campaign during an enterprising run under Oliver Glasner, and his importance was underlined after his double prevented a problematic defeat.

Veteran 37-year-old Jamie Vardy added his second goal of the campaign for Leicester, prompting Steve Cooper to debunk widespread predictions of a quick return to the Championship. Vardy and Stephy Mavididi took advantage of Palace's leaky defence and put Leicester in control.

But Mateta pulled one back immediately after VAR had ruled the striker was not offside. Palace looked to be running out of ideas but were awarded a penalty deep into added time after a reckless challenge from Conor Coady brought down Ismaïla Sarr. Mateta scored the equaliser to give Leicester a punch in the gut after they looked set for a thumping win. Both teams remain winless in the league but Palace will be relieved after recovering from a two-goal deficit.

Cooper, who wanted to see footage of Palace's opening goal to clarify the onside decision, said: “It feels like a defeat. I thought we were very good in the first half to come up against a good team like Palace and play the way we did.

“They threw all kinds of attacks at us and as well as Mads (Hermansen) played, he didn’t have to make save after save. I never felt like a goal was coming.”

Glasner handed debuts to Maxence Lacroix and Eddie Nketiah in place of Chris Richards and Daichi Kamada. Jordan Ayew played against his former club after leaving Selhurst Park for Leicester in the summer.

And he missed a clear chance in the first five minutes, sending his half-volley over the bar from Wilfred Ndidi's cross. Nketiah looked lively after his move for Arsenal, but the striker was unable to direct his header from Tyrick Mitchell's cross on target.

Palace were beginning to threaten and Eberechi Eze, fresh from playing for England during the international break, set up Daniel Muñoz, but the Colombian was intercepted by Wout Faes.

Leicester pounced to open the scoring midway through the first half when Ndidi sent the ball over the defence for Vardy to beat Marc Guéhi and past Dean Henderson to slot home into an empty net. Home frustration was mounting in a game marking 100 years of football at Selhurst Park.

Nketiah looked Palace's most likely scorer and the 25-year-old attempted an ambitious overhead kick but his shot was wide of the target. Leicester were mounting pressure but the newly promoted club escaped after Eze forced his way into the box and fired narrowly past Hermansen's post.

Leicester's attacks were less frequent but they were still dangerous on the counter and Mavididi should have doubled the lead after Vardy set him free when Guéhi completely missed a long pass. The winger shot wide and Palace were relieved not to concede a second goal.

Palace started the second half disastrously and fell further behind. James Justin's cross was not stopped by Nathaniel Clyne and Mavididi headed home from point-blank range after another assist from Ndidi.

The home side responded immediately with Mateta turning in Mitchell's cross. The flag went up but after a lengthy VAR review, Justin was adjudged to have placed the striker in an offside position and Palace were given a lifeline.

Palace were looking for an equaliser and Nketiah came close to scoring, his shot going just over Hermansen's post. At the other end, Leicester continued to be dangerous and Skipp was exchanging passes with Vardy, but Henderson was alert to prevent the danger.

Glasner's side desperately sought an equaliser and were awarded a late penalty when substitute Coady brought down former Watford winger Sarr. Mateta sent Hermansen the wrong way and Palace avoided defeat, while Leicester rued their imprudence.

Glasner, whose side have yet to keep a clean sheet in the league, said: “It doesn't feel like a win but it was a great reaction after going 2-0 down.

“We conceded goals too easily, especially the first one. That's what we have to improve. It's difficult to win a game if you concede two goals.”