Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced 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.