Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Without star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
