Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be enough to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a largely second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.
Dominance Established from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
