Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden European adventure, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.