Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was effectively 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.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike 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 worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
