Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
