Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
