Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, particularly following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
