Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate 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.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope 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 striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
