Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for some of 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 finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly 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 almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
