🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Triumph at Shelbourne. Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession. The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems. Control Established from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish. Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests. Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post. Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half 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, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
Even though embarking on their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct passage to the knockout stages, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, scoring for the second consecutive succession. The Shelbourne side that had finished their domestic season proved outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems. Control Established from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward finish. Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests. Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had struck the post. Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The contest was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his shot blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also missed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half 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, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.