Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid 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 Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
