Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved no match against a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very 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 also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
