Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players 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 another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came 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 dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
