Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match offered a platform for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Established from the Outset
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Pino Wraps Up the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both 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.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
