Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
