Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly 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 tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
