Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence 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 came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
