Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
Another victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to get 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 lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
