🔗 Share this article Uche Fuels Comfortable Crystal Palace Triumph at Shelbourne. Despite embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs. A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Moment This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals. Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post. Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
Despite embarking on their maiden European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting at a rapid pace. Missing star figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League playoffs. A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to secure straight passage to the last 16, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Moment This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. The Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly established dominance. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals. Ex-Arsenal striker didn't need to wait long to find his goal, tapping home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post. Shelbourne were hanging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Game The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his first touch, only to see his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still room for improvement in his game. A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.