🔗 Share this article Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Triumph at Irish Side Shelbourne. Despite entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession. The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury 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 evening for the visiting side.
Despite entering their maiden European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to secure direct entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession. The Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close soon after, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had struck the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The contest was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury 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 evening for the visiting side.