Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side 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 all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away 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 hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
