Christantus Uche Ignites Dominant Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
