Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
