Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
