Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of 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 straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
