Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players 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.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.