Crystal Palace asserted their dominance with a decisive 3-0 victory over Shelbourne in a recent Conference League match. This win marks a pivotal moment in the club’s ongoing success story.
Recent Successes of Crystal Palace
The Eagles are currently enjoying a remarkable phase in their history. They clinched the FA Cup in May and secured the Community Shield in August. Additionally, they are presently ranked fourth in the Premier League.
Conference League Context
Despite their FA Cup triumph, Crystal Palace was placed in the Conference League due to a breach of UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. As a result, they were not allowed entry into the Europa League.
Palace, however, is viewed as one of the favorites in this competition. Two of the last four Conference League winners were from the Premier League: West Ham in 2023 and Chelsea the previous season.
Match Overview
Heading into the match, Crystal Palace faced challenges after suffering two losses in their first four Conference League games. They lost 1-0 at home to Cypriot team Larnaca and 2-1 against Strasbourg.
To bounce back, manager Oliver Glasner made only four changes to the lineup that recently defeated Fulham. One notable change was the inclusion of Uche, who scored and provided an assist in his first start.
Game Highlights
- Crystal Palace secured three essential points with their 3-0 victory.
- Key players Daichi Kamada, Wharton, and Pino were substituted at halftime.
- Nketiah was replaced midway through the second half.
- Glasner gave a debut to 17-year-old striker Benji Casey.
With the pressure off, Palace could afford to rest key players as they prepare for a busy schedule. They will face Manchester City next before concluding this stage of the Conference League against KuPS.
Challenges Ahead
As Palace continues this rigorous run of matches—15 games between November 22 and January 10—squad rotation will be crucial. The next Conference League match against KuPS is only 48 hours before a Premier League fixture against Leeds.
Shelbourne’s Struggles
For Shelbourne, the match ended without scoring, as they remain goalless in this tournament. Daniel Kelly had a late opportunity but saw his shot saved by goalkeeper Walter Benitez.
