Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape 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 Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
