🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Ignites Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne. Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Seize the Moment This match offered a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Dominance Established from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish. Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some 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 rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary 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 earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.
Despite entering their first-ever European campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds. A further three points in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be sufficient to seal straight entry to the knockout stages, especially following a previous stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Seize the Moment This match offered a platform for several Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, notched the account with a well-taken finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a another, scoring for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season were outmatched even for a mostly rotated Palace lineup. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems. Dominance Established from the Start In spite of heavy rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a simple finish. Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, driving a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah then appealed for a penalty after bursting into the area, but the official dismissed the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man didn't need to wait long to get his goal, prodding home from a yard out after Uche's shot had hit the post. The home side were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to escape a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Wraps Up the Contest The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino weaved past some 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 rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked. Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot crash off both posts before being clasped on the line. Uche then missed a glaring chance, indicating there is still scope for development in his game. A solitary 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 earn his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise positive night for the traveling side.