Christantus Uche Fuels Dominant Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, 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 appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of 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 individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
