Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though entering their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club departed Dublin with a commanding win that all but secures them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
A further three points in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
The Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season proved no match even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Outset
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out 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 two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game
The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the visiting side.
