Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another three points in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the last 16, particularly after a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.
After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
