Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved no match even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick 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 went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
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, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
