Christantus Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Dominance Established from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late 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 evening for the traveling side.
