Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were no match even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape 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 Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only 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 senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
