Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
