Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
