Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season proved no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then 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 get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck 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 header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting 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. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
