Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
