Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season proved outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match 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.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
