Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight passage to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of 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 lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
