Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two 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 weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered 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 injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
