Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match against a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
