Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
