Uche Fuels Dominant Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved no match even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
