Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Victory at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence 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 effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
