Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot 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 sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary 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 make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
