Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance 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 shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room 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 forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
