🔗 Share this article Christantus Uche Sparks Straightforward Crystal Palace Win at Shelbourne. Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs. A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems. Control Asserted from the Start Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post. Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game. The only 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 first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.
Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are learning at a rapid pace. Missing key figures like striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and defender Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable win that all but guarantees them a place in the Conference League playoffs. A further three points in their upcoming fixture against Finnish KuPS ought to be enough to secure direct passage to the last 16, particularly following a prior stumble against Strasbourg. Squad Members Grasp the Opportunity This match offered a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to shine. Christantus Uche, making only his second start after arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical goal. Forward Eddie Nketiah added a second, finding the net for the second game in succession. A Shelbourne side that had concluded their league season were outmatched against a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with leg problems. Control Asserted from the Start Despite heavy rain in Dublin, Palace quickly took control. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in. Youngster Adam Wharton came close soon after, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after bursting into the box, but the referee waved away the appeals. Ex-Arsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, prodding home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post. Shelbourne were hanging on desperately. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for two agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the woodwork with a powerful header from a corner. Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some weak challenges before coolly slotting a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to make it 3-0. Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse came close to scoring with his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked. The youngster was desperately unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, indicating there is still room for development in his game. The only 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 first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.