Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were no match even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly 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 simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
