Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy 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 set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped 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 injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
