Crystal Palace ran riot in the club’s first-ever UEFA Europa League game, thumping Poland’s Lech Poznań 4-0 at Selhurst Park.
Despite Selhurst roaring from the start, they were almost stunned into silence immediately as a long ball was launched over the top by Lech Poznań, and Patrik Wålemark attacked it and squared a golden opportunity to Mikael Ishak. Still, he was unable to get his feet sorted and wasted a huge early chance.
It would prove costly for the opposition as Terry Yegbe bizarrely threw the ball deep in his own half straight to Yéremy Pino, who rode the challenge of the Lech Poznań defence and fired the ball into the bottom left corner. On a momentous day for the football club, Spain’s World Cup winner had provided a perfect start.
Kolejorz soon came forward again though, as the ball dropped to Luis Palma on the volley, though his shot was well blocked.
Moments later, another glorious opportunity went begging for Lech as Anan Khalaili’s wayward clearance was picked up in the middle of the pitch by Radosław Murawski, played over the top to Ishak, who once again fluffed his lines as he fired over.
Once again, Palace punished Lech for wasting good opportunities, doubling the lead after 27th minutes. Adam Wharton’s deep corner from the right-hand side was met by Chris Richards with a header back across goal and into the net despite the efforts of Mateusz Lis to keep it out.
Sage’s side were not letting off, and Pino continued his brilliant first half by winning a penalty after he was brought down by Murawski. Jørgen Strand Larsen took it and smashed it into the top left corner to cap a stunning first 35 minutes for the Eagles.
The Norwegian was then a key reason why one of the most ridiculous own goals ever was ruled out.
He made a late run behind the Lech Poznan defence, which Mateusz Lis spotted and came out to intercept the ball; however, Yegbe was also running back, and his momentum seemed to take him into the ball, and he stunningly found his own net from 35 yards out.
Offside was called against Strand Larsen, and despite a lengthy VAR check, the original decision stood.
Palace were outstanding in the first half, scoring three goals in the first half of any match for the first time since December 2025 against Shelbourne when the Eagles won 3-0.
With such a comfortable lead, Palace controlled the play in Lech Poznan’s half during the opening stages of the second half, but almost had a fourth when Pino’s close-range effort was blocked at the last. Sage’s side continued to push for a fourth goal, with Eddie Nketiah having a brilliant opportunity moments after coming on, though he dragged it wide.
Nketiah would eventually get it two minutes from time, as Dwight McNeil poked the ball through, before the number side cut back inside and fired a low effort into the bottom left corner.
Ahead of a gruelling trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United on Sunday, a home win and a clean sheet are just what Crystal Palace needed for a confidence boost.
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