Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed 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 close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw 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 room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
