Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Dominance Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary 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 senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
