Christantus Uche Fuels Dominant Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Even though entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second game in match.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were no match against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Outset
Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed 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 close range after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
