Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting very quickly. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust 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 from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
