Crystal Palace 5:1 Swindon Town — Match Report

Gary RedknappFootball AnalystMATCH REPORT

Matheus França scored a perfect hat-trick as Crystal Palace thrashed Swindon Town 5-1 in a Club Friendly, the Brazilian forward's treble sealing a comprehensive victory in a match that was closer than the final score suggested. Edward Nketiah had already bagged a brace inside 21 minutes before Swindon briefly threatened a fightback through Fletcher Holman's 33rd-minute strike.

The contest shifted decisively in the second half when Matheus França took over, scoring three times in 26 minutes — his first came unassisted in the 56th minute, followed by another in the 59th and a third in the 82nd to complete his hat-trick and kill any lingering Swindon hope. Crystal Palace dominated the second period with 64% possession and five shots to Swindon's two, having already controlled the first half with 59% of the ball despite the visitors managing more attempts.

Despite the 5-1 margin, the statistics tell a more balanced story: Palace held 62% possession overall and earned three corners to Swindon's one, but the visitors managed 11 shots to Palace's 13 and were only outshot 8-9 in the first half — they were outplayed but undone by ruthless finishing. Matheus França earns a perfect 10 rating as the standout, the forward scoring a hat-trick from his position up front. CheckLive's model rated Swindon Town marginally ahead before kick-off, but the result emphatically proved that prediction wrong as Palace ran riot.

Questions & Answers

What was the final score of Crystal Palace vs Swindon Town?

Crystal Palace 5-1 Swindon Town (Club Friendly Games).

Who scored?

Edward Nketiah (9') for Crystal Palace; Edward Nketiah (21', assist Romain Esse) for Crystal Palace; Fletcher Holman (33', assist Matthew Virtue-Thick) for Swindon Town; Matheus França (56') for Crystal Palace; Matheus França (59') for Crystal Palace; Matheus França (82') for Crystal Palace.

Was Crystal Palace's win deserved?

Yes — Crystal Palace were on top for most of the match.

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