Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved no match against a largely rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
