🔗 Share this article Uche Sparks Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne. Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries. Control Asserted from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests. The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
Even though entering their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning very quickly. Without star players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that all but guarantees them a spot in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were no match against a mostly second-string Palace lineup. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries. Control Asserted from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a long-range shot over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the referee waved away the protests. The formerArsenal man didn't need to wait long to find his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had struck the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The match was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his shot blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a late knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, capping an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.