Crystal Palace produced a composed and forceful display in Dublin, easing past Shelbourne to strengthen their push toward a place in the Conference League’s last-16 stage.
The visitors struck three times before the interval, with Christantus Uche, Eddie Nketiah, and Yeremy Pino all converting during a dominant opening period. Their advantage might have been greater, yet chances after halftime went unfinished.
For Shelbourne, already struggling in the group and now winless with a single point from five matches, resistance was present but rarely effective during a one-sided contest.
Palace, participating in European competition for the first time following last season’s FA Cup triumph, climbed to ninth with one round remaining, setting up a decisive home meeting with KuPS next week.
Strong selection pays off for Glasner
Oliver Glasner opted for a near full-strength lineup, aware that his side entered the evening in 18th place after mixed early results. England internationals Marc Guehi and Adam Wharton both started, while Uche was handed his first senior start.
The choice proved correct when Palace crafted a flowing move that Uche finished confidently inside the opening 15 minutes. Moments later, Nketiah appeared to be impeded in the box, but he soon tapped in his team’s second after Uche’s effort struck the post.
Defender Chris Richards came close to adding another when his header clipped the crossbar, but Pino soon produced a sharp individual run and composed strike to extend the margin.
Shelbourne’s late attempt from Daniel Kelly was pushed away by goalkeeper Walter Benitez, leaving the Irish champions still without a goal in the competition.
Eagles managing a packed calendar with calm efficiency
This run of results continues a remarkable period for Palace, who lifted the FA Cup in spring and the Community Shield in August and currently sit inside the Premier League’s top four.
Though their cup victory initially granted entry to the Europa League, the club was reassigned to the Conference League following a ruling related to multi-club ownership. Even so, they remain among the favorites to win the tournament.
Glasner’s squad are navigating a heavy sequence of fixtures, with this match marking the third outing in a demanding 15-game stretch. With Manchester City approaching at the weekend and KuPS arriving only two days before a league visit to Leeds, rotation has become essential.
That workload shaped decisions at the break, when Daichi Kamada, Wharton, and Pino were withdrawn. Nketiah followed in the second half, while 17-year-old forward Benji Casey was introduced for his senior debut.
