Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
