Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of 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 well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity 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.
Esse 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 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 visiting side.
