Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. 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 another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck 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 some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following 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, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.