Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late 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 traveling side.
