Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
