Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly 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. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
