Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This match provided a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved no match even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
