Christantus Uche Ignites Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Missing star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually secures them a place in the Conference League playoffs.
A further three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight passage to the last 16, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg.
Fringe Players Seize the Moment
This match provided a chance for several Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second consecutive match.
A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season proved no match even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Control Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in.
Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the appeals.
The formerArsenal striker did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post.
Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes from 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, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked.
The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for improvement in his game.
A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
