Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly 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 went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles 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.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt 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 paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
