Christantus Uche Sparks Dominant Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The contest 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 keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
