Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct passage to the last 16, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding 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 challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
