🔗 Share this article Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne. Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved outmatched against a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post. Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked. Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game. The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a spot in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Opportunity This occasion offered a platform for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season proved outmatched against a largely rotated Palace lineup. The visitors were further depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post. Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to escape a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked. Esse was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game. The only worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, capping an otherwise positive evening for the traveling side.