Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match 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, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted 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 incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, 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 shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
