Uche Ignites Dominant Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room 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 earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
