Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs.
A further victory in their next match against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg.
Squad Members Seize the Moment
This occasion provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession.
The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg injuries.
Dominance Asserted from the Start
Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in.
Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the protests.
Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.
Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner.
Yeremy Pino Seals the Game
The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper 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 almost scoring his first touch, only to see his effort blocked.
The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.
The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.