🔗 Share this article Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Victory at Irish Side Shelbourne. Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds. Another victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in match. A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal man did not have 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 escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key 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 attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope 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 make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
Despite embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without star figures like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds. Another victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This occasion provided a platform for some of Palace's fringe players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second game in match. A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were outmatched even for a largely second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal man did not have 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 escape a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key 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 attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope 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 make his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.