Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then 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, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash 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.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
