🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Win at Shelbourne. Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds. Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity This match offered a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed 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. Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed 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 was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Crystal Palace are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a commanding result that virtually secures them a spot in the Conference League qualifying rounds. Another three points in their upcoming match against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to seal direct passage to the last 16, especially after a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity This match offered a chance for several Palace's fringe players to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a clinical finish. Forward Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, scoring for the second consecutive succession. A Shelbourne team that had finished their domestic season were no match even for a mostly second-string Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Control Asserted from the Outset Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick move in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish. Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, driving a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed 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. Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The contest was effectively over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. After the break, manager Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed 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 was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old forward Benji Casey to make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.