🔗 Share this article Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne. Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity This match provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match. The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems. Control Established from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish. Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post. Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. Another victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity This match provided a platform for several Palace's lesser-used talent to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match. The Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched even for a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with leg problems. Control Established from the Outset Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish. Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post. Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. The only concern for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.