Uche Ignites Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct entry to the last 16, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne side that had finished their league season proved no match even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems.
Control Asserted from the Outset
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the protests.
The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest
The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for development in his game.
A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
