Christantus Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure direct passage to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
