Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
