🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne. Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Moment This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Dominance Asserted from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly 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. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post. The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Wraps Up the Game The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.
Despite embarking on their maiden continental adventure, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing key players like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding win that virtually guarantees them a spot in the Conference League playoffs. A further victory in their upcoming match against Finland's KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Moment This match provided a platform for some of Palace's lesser-used players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their league season were outmatched against a largely second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were already weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Dominance Asserted from the Start In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly 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. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the box, but the official waved away the protests. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's effort had hit the post. The home side were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two robust tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Pino Wraps Up the Game The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past goalkeeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw several players like Kamada and Wharton. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary concern for Palace was a second-half knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, capping an otherwise perfect night for the traveling side.