Uche Ignites Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Despite entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds.
Another victory in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct entry to the last 16, particularly following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity
This occasion offered a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season proved no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.
Control Asserted from the Start
In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals.
The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post.
The home side were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0.
After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
