Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
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 lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
