Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making 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 game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were no match even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Dominance 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, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of 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 several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half injury 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 night for the traveling side.
