Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding result that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct passage to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp 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, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved no match even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.