Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker 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. Full-back 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 Wraps Up the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
