Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.