Uche Sparks Comfortable Palace Victory at Shelbourne.

Even though embarking on their first-ever continental campaign, Oliver Glasner's side are adapting very quickly. Missing key players like forward Jean-Philippe Mateta and wing-back Daniel Muñoz, the London club left Dublin with a comfortable win that virtually guarantees them a place in the Conference League qualifying rounds.

A further victory in their next match against Finnish KuPS should be enough to seal straight entry to the last 16, particularly after a previous setback against Strasbourg.

Fringe Players Seize the Moment

This match offered a chance for several Palace's lesser-used players to impress. Christantus Uche, making only his second beginning since arriving on loan from Getafe, opened the account with a well-taken goal. Striker Eddie Nketiah contributed a second, finding the net for the second game in succession.

A Shelbourne team that had concluded their domestic season were no match even for a largely second-string Palace lineup. The visitors were further weakened by the news that Mateta and Muñoz are sidelined with knee problems.

Dominance Asserted from the Outset

Despite torrential rain in Dublin, Palace rapidly took control. A flowing passing sequence in the 11th minute, sparked by Daichi Kamada's incisive pass, let Nketiah to set up Uche for a straightforward tap-in.

Midfielder Adam Wharton went close minutes later, fizzing a powerful effort over the bar. Nketiah subsequently claimed for a penalty after racing into the area, but the referee dismissed the protests.

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

Shelbourne were clinging on for dear life. Full-back Kameron Ledwidge was lucky to avoid a booking for two robust challenges on Yeremy Pino, before Chris Richards struck the crossbar with a powerful header from a corner.

Yeremy Pino Seals the Contest

The contest 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.

Following the break, manager Oliver Glasner took the chance to rest several players like Kamada and Wharton. Replacement Romain Esse almost scoring his first touch, but saw his shot blocked.

Esse was incredibly unlucky later on, seeing one attempt crash off each posts before being gathered on the line. Uche then blazed a glaring chance, showing there is still scope for improvement in his game.

A solitary worry for Palace was a second-half injury to Justin Devenny, who was forced off. This paved the way for 17-year-old striker Benji Casey to make his first-team debut, rounding off an otherwise perfect night for the visiting side.