Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, 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 comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man 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 clinging 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 woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
