Crystal Palace 4-0 Lech Poznan
by Joseph Musa
at Selhurst Park

EUROPA Conference League winners Crystal Palace started off their new European campaign with a big statement win over Polish league champions Lech Poznan.

But just two minutes into the game, there was a big chance for the Poznan captain Mikael Ishak.

The ball was worked well before a cross had got in from the right, but Ishak didn’t get a good enough connection.

The home side responded as Yeremy Pino cut inside the box, faked a shot, then got off his shot but it was blocked for a corner.

Palace then took the lead in the 10th minute, Poznan centre-half Terry Yegbe took a throw-in, Pino stole the ball and took two good touches before slotting past Mateusz Liz in goal.

Poznan pushed for an equaliser, Ishak with another big chance after being played through by Pablo Rodriguez and the striker just volleyed over the bar.

Yegbe then had a chance when he snuck behind the Palace defence after the ball went back into the box from a corner, but his effort hit the side netting.

Palace then doubled their lead in the 27th minute, Adam Wharton’s in-swinging corner was met by Chris Richards who towered over his marker to head home.

The lively Pino won the ball six minutes later, dribbled into the box and was then fouled.

Up stepped in-form Jorgen Strand Larsen who rifled the penalty into the top corner sending the Poznan keeper the wrong way to make it 3-0.

Poznan fans remained in good spirits as they did their famous celebration shortly after conceding the third.

In the second half, Palace had to call upon their shot-stopper Walter Benítez a few times, and he delivered.

Luis Palma cut inside in the box and hit an effort heading into the bottom corner but Benítez made a low sharp save to his right.

Left-back Michał Gurgul ghosted into the box and connected well, Benítez made another good save this time parrying the ball away.

Frustration built for Poznan as Murawski fouled Jaydee Canvot in the 87th minute for a second yellow card.

Two minutes later, substitutes Dwight McNeil and Eddie Nketiah combined.

McNeil played a through ball to Nketiah, the striker cut in with his right and finished into the bottom corner with his left foot to put the icing on the cake.

Pierre Sage noted satisfaction in his team scoring four goals with all different scorers but highlighted a need for more consistency in ball retention to avoid giving possession back too quickly.