🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Fuels Comfortable Palace Triumph at Shelbourne. Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs. Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Control Established from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range shot 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, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post. Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Seals the Game The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot 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 knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.
Despite entering their first-ever continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a spot in the Europa Conference League playoffs. Another victory in their next fixture against Finland's KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal straight entry to the last 16, especially following a previous setback against Strasbourg. Fringe Players Grasp the Moment This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne team that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The visitors were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg injuries. Control Established from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton went close soon after, driving a long-range shot 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, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had struck the post. Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Seals the Game The match was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of weak challenges before calmly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to withdraw several individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring his very first touch, only to see his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one shot 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 knock to Justin Devenny, who limped off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to earn his first-team debut, capping an otherwise perfect evening for the traveling side.