Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, particularly after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back 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 powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following 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 effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development 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 make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
