🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Sparks Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne. Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Moment This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Established from the Start Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal striker 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 fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room 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 night for the traveling side.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to secure direct passage to the knockout stages, particularly following a prior setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Seize the Moment This match provided a chance for several Palace's lesser-used talent to shine. Christantus Uche, in only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a another, finding the net for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne side that had finished their league season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were already depleted by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems. Control Established from the Start Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a long-range effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal striker 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 fortunate to escape a booking for a couple of robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the woodwork with a header from a corner. Pino Seals the Game The match was effectively over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, coach Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still room 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 night for the traveling side.