Palace power past Lech Poznan to win on Europa League debut

Reigning Conference League holders Crystal Palace marked their inaugural Europa League fixture in style, defeating Polish title-holders Lech Poznan 4-0 at Selhurst Park. The visitors spurned a glorious opportunity barely three minutes in when Mikael Ishak failed to convert from six yards out, and they were punished shortly afterward.

Yeremy Pino pounced on a misplaced 20-yard clearance throw by Terry Yegbe near the Polish box, advancing smoothly into the penalty area before tucking a low shot into the corner. Palace soon doubled their cushion when Chris Richards leapt above the defense at the far post to nod home an Adam Wharton corner delivery.

Pino then won a spot-kick after being clipped inside the area by Radoslaw Murawski following a smart interception on the left wing, allowing Jorgen Strand Larsen to smash the penalty into the top-left corner. Lech Poznan's plight worsened late in the second period when Murawski picked up a second yellow card and was dismissed.

Shortly before the final whistle, replacement Eddie Nketiah added the fourth with a tidy strike. Nketiah entered the fray alongside Ismaila Sarr, who heard a divided reaction from the home crowd during his first outing of the campaign following an aborted transfer to Liverpool during the summer.