Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, 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 comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury 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 perfect night for the visiting side.
