Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were no match even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both 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.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
