Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved no match against a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have 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. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural 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 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 seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped 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 was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
