Christantus Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season proved no match even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.