Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some 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 withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
