Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
