Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
