Uche Ignites Dominant Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight passage to the knockout stages, particularly following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
