Uche Fuels Straightforward Palace Win at Irish Side Shelbourne.

Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Without key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a comfortable result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

A further victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS ought to be sufficient to seal direct entry to the knockout stages, especially after a previous setback against Strasbourg.

Fringe Players Seize the Opportunity

This match offered a chance for some of Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, in only his second beginning since joining on loan from Getafe, opened the scoring with a clinical finish. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a another, finding the net for the second consecutive match.

A Shelbourne side that had concluded their domestic season proved no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are out with knee problems.

Control Established from the Outset

In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly established dominance. A slick passing sequence in the 11th minute, initiated by Daichi Kamada's clever pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a simple finish.

Youngster Adam Wharton came close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently appealed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the official waved away the protests.

The formerArsenal man did not have wait long to get his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's shot had hit the post.

Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Defender Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.

Pino Seals the Game

The match was as good as over eight minutes before half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past some comically weak challenges before coolly dispatching a shot past keeper Wessel Speel to extend the lead to 3-0.

Following the break, coach Oliver Glasner seized the opportunity to withdraw key individuals like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his very first touch, but saw his effort blocked.

Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a sitter of a chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.

A solitary worry for Palace was a late injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This allowed 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to earn his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise positive evening for the visiting side.