Key Highlights
- Crystal Palace secured a 3-0 win over Shelbourne in their Conference League match.
- Christantus Uche, Eddie Nketiah, and Yeremy Pino all scored for Crystal Palace.
- The victory boosted Crystal Palace’s hopes of automatic qualification to the Conference League knockout phase.
- Oliver Glasner’s side now sit in ninth place in the Conference League table.
Crystal Palace Triumphs Over Shelbourne 3-0
Crystal Palace demonstrated their strength and depth with a commanding 3-0 victory over Shelbourne, securing their position in the Conference League standings while setting their sights on automatic qualification for the knockout phase. The match took place at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium and saw goals from Christantus Uche, Eddie Nketiah, and Yeremy Pino, all crucial contributions that highlighted Palace’s attacking prowess.
First Half Dominance
The game was effectively decided within the first 45 minutes. Uche opened the scoring in the 17th minute with a clinical finish after receiving Nketiah’s low cross. The duo then combined again, this time leading to Nketiah’s goal as Uche hit the post before seeing his shot deflect off a post, ultimately leading to a goal.
Yeremy Pino added the third goal in the 40th minute, further establishing Crystal Palace’s dominance with a well-taken strike. The first half was characterized by Shelbourne’s defensive efforts, with Marc Guehi and Chris Richards making strong attempts that narrowly missed the target.
Second Half Substitutions
Oliver Glasner made three substitutions at halftime to rest key players, but Palace maintained their intensity. Romain Esse had a couple of chances, hitting both posts, while Jefferson Lerma’s header failed to find the net. Uche missed an opportunity to score his second goal late in the game.
The absence of Jean-Philippe Mateta allowed for Christantus Uche’s first European start, and he delivered with poise and precision. The win also marks Nketiah’s first Premier League start since October 2025.
Future Fixtures and Implications
The victory lifts Crystal Palace to ninth place in the Conference League table, just one point shy of automatic qualification for the last 16. Their next game is against KuPS at home on December 18, setting up a crucial match that could secure their play-off spot.
Glasner praised his players’ performance and acknowledged the importance of their upcoming fixtures, including a busy Premier League schedule with matches against Manchester City, Arsenal, Leeds, Aston Villa, and Newcastle. The team’s depth and ability to rotate players without compromising results are key assets moving forward.
“Always nice to get on the scoresheet, always nice to get a win,” said Crystal Palace striker Eddie Nketiah. “We started really strong which was important.
With God, anything is possible. If we keep working hard how we are, we’ve got a chance.”
Nketiah’s comments reflect the team’s determination and their belief in their chances of progressing further in the Conference League.
“Credit to the players for their attitude today,” stated Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner. “First half, scored nice goals. We spoke at half-time to keep the pace high and we did, created many chances and unfortunately we missed a few and were unlucky with Romain Esse’s finish.”
Glasner’s tactical acumen and his players’ execution highlighted the team’s readiness for their upcoming challenges.
Conclusion
Crystal Palace’s performance against Shelbourne showcases their potential to compete at a high level in both domestic and European competitions. With a busy schedule ahead, Glasner will be looking to maintain this form while ensuring his squad remains fresh and ready for the demands of multiple fixtures.
The win over Shelbourne is just one step in Crystal Palace’s journey towards securing a top-eight finish and ultimately lifting the Conference League trophy at the end of the season. Their next challenge comes on December 18, when they host KuPS with high hopes of making it to the knockout phase.
