Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, especially after a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Moment
This match provided a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already depleted by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Pino Seals the Game
The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.
