Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season proved outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man 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 clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
