Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence 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, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly 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 development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
