Uche Ignites Dominant Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting 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 individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
