Christantus Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
