Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
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 area, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
