Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement 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 first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
