Crystal Palace eased to a 3-0 win over Shelbourne in the UEFA Conference League, moving to within a point of the top eight. They settled quickly in the tough conditions at Tallaght Stadium, and although Marc Guehi couldn’t make the most of an early chance, Palace soon took control.
After just 11 minutes, a sharp move ended with Eddie Nketiah setting up Christantus Uche, who scored on his first start for the club. Adam Wharton went close twice from distance, while Shelbourne’s Paddy Barrett sent one harmless effort wide.
Palace doubled their lead in the 25th minute. Uche stretched to reach Yeremy Pino’s through ball, hitting the post, and Nketiah followed up to score. The visitors stayed well on top, with Nketiah denied by goalkeeper Mark Coyle and then heading into the side netting after Chris Richards hit the bar.
Their third came in the 37th minute when Pino ran through the midfield and fired into the bottom corner. Palace pushed for more before half-time, with Coyle saving from Borna Sosa.
Oliver Glasner made three changes at the break, but Palace stayed in control. Nketiah had another chance within a minute, while Romain Esse saw several efforts either blocked or narrowly miss. He was unlucky not to score when one shot hit both posts before Coyle gathered the ball.
Late on, Justin Devenny went off injured, allowing 17-year-old Benji Casey to make his senior debut. Palace responded well to their defeat against Strasbourg, earning a third straight win in all competitions to move up to ninth.
Shelbourne, meanwhile, remain 34th with just one point and still without a goal.
