Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
