Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
