Uche Fuels Dominant Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted 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 set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
