Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee dismissed the protests.
Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
The only worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
