Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get 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 lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered 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 withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development 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 make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
