Uche off the mark to spark comfortable Dublin stroll for Palace

This might be Crystal Palace’s first-ever European campaign but they are learning very quickly.

- Ed Aarons

Having arrived in Dublin missing some of their big-hitters including the star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta and the marauding wing-back Daniel Muijioz, they left with a comfortable victory that means they are virtually assured of a place in the Conference League playoffs.

Another three points against the Finnish side KuPS as part of their marathon December in which Oliver Glasners’s side play eight matches in three separate competitions should be enough to secure entry directly into the knockout stages after slipping up against Strasbourg on their last outing.

But this was an occasion for some of Palace’s fringe players to shine as Christantus Uche capped only his second start since joining on an initial loan from Getafe in the summer with a well-taken goal and Eddie Nketiah scored for the second game in succession.

A Shelbourne side that finished their domestic season last month were no match even for a largely second-string Palace, who had only 15 senior outfield players available following the news that Mateta and Mufozare sidelined with knee injuries.