Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved no match against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost 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 clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
