Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season proved no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
