Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
