Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted 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 incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.