Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner admitted he was surprised by the way that Shelbourne were willing to play out from the back in the first half of Thursday night's Conference League clash at Tallaght Stadium.
The 3-0 win for the visiting Eagles ensured that any lingering hopes that Shels could advance to the play-off round were emphatically extinguished as first-half goals from Christantus Uche, Eddie Nketiah and Yeremy Pino settled the contest.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, Glasner, whose thoughts will now turn to Sunday's Premier League home fixture against Manchester City, shared his view on how the game had played out tactically and felt his side had profited from Shelbourne's approach.
"Mostly, I was a little bit surprised that they tried to build up so often," the Austrian told RTÉ Sport of the first half.
"I thought that they would go more like they did in the second half, more straight to their tall strikers, going for the second ball or in behind.
"That helped us I think. Two goals we scored by winning the ball in their half and their strengths was their set-plays because they are a very physical team and I think we had a good balance in transition.
"There was one situation first half where Maxence Lacroix was a little bit late in the reaction but then he and Chris (Richards) saved the situation and (Shelbourne) didn't get the finish.
"There was no (Shelbourne) chance until the 91st so we did really well, controlled their strengths and created many chances, and I think we were very fluid in our attack, good movements, good runs in behind and winning many balls in their half.
"I think they were a little bit surprised or they are not used to playing against teams with this intensity and then looked like they got punished a few times."
Shelbourne did not concede in the second half although the visitors did have chances to extend their advantage.
"The most important thing was to create chances and then we have some days or the first half where we are efficient enough and second (half), we were not. (That) sometimes happens," Glasner added.
"I was a little bit surprised that they tried to build up so often"
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) December 12, 2025
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner speaks to @RafDLeitrim about the way the first half played out between Shelbourne and his side at Tallaght Stadium last night: https://t.co/zmfdmNlfTW pic.twitter.com/Ek3kbPVf6N
