Christantus Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest 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, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, but saw 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, showing there is still scope for improvement 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 make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
