Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on 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 box, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
