Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
