Christantus Uche Fuels Straightforward Crystal Palace Victory at Shelbourne.

Even though entering their maiden continental adventure, Crystal Palace are learning very quickly. Missing star players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the Eagles departed Dublin with a commanding result that all but secures them a place in the Europa Conference League qualifying rounds.

Another three points in their next fixture against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight passage to the last 16, especially following a prior stumble against Strasbourg.

Squad Members Grasp the Moment

This occasion provided a chance for some of Palace's fringe talent to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning after joining on loan from Getafe, notched the scoring with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah added a second, scoring for the second game in succession.

A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a mostly rotated Palace outfit. The Londoners were already weakened by the reports that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee injuries.

Dominance Asserted from the Start

In spite of torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing move in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, allowed Nketiah to lay on Uche for a straightforward finish.

Midfielder Adam Wharton went close soon after, fizzing a powerful shot over the bar. Nketiah then claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.

Ex-Arsenal striker did not have wait long to find his goal, tapping home from close range after Uche's effort had hit the post.

Shelbourne were clinging on desperately. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was fortunate to avoid a booking for a couple of agricultural tackles on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards rattled the crossbar with a header from a corner.

Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest

The contest was as good as over eight minutes from half-time. Yeremy Pino meandered past a series of comically weak challenges before calmly 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. Substitute Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his effort blocked.

The youngster was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one shot strike off each posts before being clasped on the line. Uche also blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for development in his game.

A solitary 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 make his senior debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect evening for the visiting side.