Christantus Uche Sparks Dominant Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.