Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
