Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European adventure, 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 left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck 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 struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
