Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental campaign, Crystal Palace are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved 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 seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.