Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining 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 concluded their domestic season proved outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Established from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate 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.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
