Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Established from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed 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 was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
