Uche Sparks Dominant Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures 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 Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then 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 effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed 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 allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
