Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
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 finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively 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 make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
