Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing 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 a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly 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.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.