Uche Sparks Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
