Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star 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 place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid 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 Contest
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
