Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
