Dublin, Ireland – Crystal Palace cruised to a comfortable 3-0 victory against Shelbourne at Tallaght Stadium on Thursday, with Christantus Uche delivering a performance that sparked the Premier League side's dominance. The win boosts Crystal Palace's chances of securing a top-eight finish in the UEFA Conference League and potentially avoiding a play-off match in February.
Oliver Glasner's side showcased their attacking prowess, with goals from Uche, Eddie Nketiah, and Yeremy Pino in the first half. Uche's opener, his first goal for the club, came in the 11th minute after a slick passing move involving Daichi Kamada and Nketiah. Nketiah then doubled the lead in the 25th minute, tapping in after Uche's angled shot hit the post. Pino added a third before the break, drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
Crystal Palace demonstrated a clinical edge that has been lacking in previous matches this season. They wrapped up the tie before halftime, scoring three goals from 2.83 expected goals. In the second half, Palace could have extended their lead, with substitute Romain Esse hitting both posts with one shot. 17-year-old Ben Casey also made his senior debut for Palace, coming off the bench late in the game.
Shelbourne, who are struggling in their domestic league, failed to pose a significant threat to the Palace defense. Their manager, Joey O'Brien, expressed his frustration as Palace ran rampant in the first half. Shelbourne's hopes of progressing in the Conference League have been dashed, and they are now looking to avoid going scoreless in the competition.
Crystal Palace will conclude the league phase of the Conference League by welcoming KuPS of Finland next Thursday. A win in that match, coupled with favorable results elsewhere, could see them secure a place in the top eight and an automatic spot in the Round of 16. Currently, Palace sit ninth in the league, just one point behind a cluster of teams above them.
The victory over Shelbourne marked a successful night for Crystal Palace, with Uche's performance being a major highlight. His goal and assist showcased his potential, and the team's overall performance demonstrated their ambition to make a deep run in the UEFA Conference League.
