South London offered Crystal Palace a change of scenery and, finally, a comfortable result. After taking only one win from their first four Premier League matches, the Conference League holders began their Europa League campaign with a commanding 4-0 home victory over Lech Poznan at Selhurst Park.
A European night turns early
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Palace took control in the 10th minute after Lech Poznan made a costly error from a throw-in. Yeremy Pino collected the loose ball just outside the penalty area, worked it with two touches and drove his shot into the net.
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The Polish visitors had opportunities to level the match, but Palace doubled their advantage before the half-hour. Chris Richards met an Adam Wharton corner with a header for the hosts’ second effort on target.
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Before the interval, Radoslaw Murawski fouled Pino in the area and Palace won a penalty. Pino initially asked Jorgen Strand Larsen for the ball, but Strand Larsen took responsibility and converted confidently. It was his fourth goal across his last three appearances.
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Lech created further chances after the restart, yet Palace did not appear in danger of surrendering their three-goal lead.
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Murawski was then sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul, and Eddie Nketiah completed the scoring in the 89th minute with a precise finish.
The 4-0 result gives Palace an emphatic opening to a competition they entered as last season’s Conference League champions. For a side seeking steadier form in domestic football, the night under the Selhurst Park lights brought both a clean sheet and a reminder of its growing European pedigree.
