Uche Sparks Straightforward Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
