Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure straight passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Opportunity
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
