Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move 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 shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed 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.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
