Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
