Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
