Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.