Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.