Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight passage to the last 16, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find 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 a couple of 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 from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped 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 visiting side.
