Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
