Crystal Palace 4 Lech Poznan 0: Eagles storm to win on Europa League debut through chaotic first-half blitz

YEREMY PINO helped Palace to a dream Europa League debut – as did the worst long throw you will ever see. Poznan’s Terry Yegbe launched an awful throw-in towards his own box – and away from any team-mates – to allow World Cup winner Pino to steal in and notch a tenth-minute opener. Crystal Palace’s squad pose for a team photo before their Europa League clash with Lech Poznan Credit: Reuters Quinten Timber battles for possession with Lech Poznan midfielder Pablo Rodriguez during Palace’s Europa League clash Credit: AFP Chris Richards then powered home a routine corner from captain Adam Wharton, before Pino won a penalty which Jorgen Strand Larsen converted, all within 34 minutes. It provided the perfect start to the Eagles’ maiden campaign in this competition, having won the Conference League last term, and a most welcome win for new boss Pierre Sage. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! This was the first time Polish champs Lech Poznan had played an English side since beating Manchester City 3-1 in November 2010. That game inspired City fans to pinch ‘the Poznan’ goal celebration, where supporters turn their backs to the action, link arms and jump around like mad. Wharton captained a full-strength Palace on what was his 100th appearance for the club. Poznan had chances but, really, once Palace went into a two-goal lead, the hosts were in cruise control. The first was a complete gift thanks to Yegbe’s inexplicable long-throw which Pino ruthlessly punished, while the second was so simple as Richards gleefully headed in Wharton’s corner. Both were moments to wince at for Poznan’s English set-piece coach, Andy Parslow. Most read in Sport BEST ONLINE CASINOS – TOP SITES IN THE UK Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage enjoys a memorable night as his side make a flying start to their Europa League campaign Credit: Getty Crystal Palace have continued from where they left off in Europe at the end of last season when they lifted the Europa Conference League in Leipzig Credit: PA It was 3-0 and game over after just 34 minutes when Pino was tripped for a penalty he desperately wanted to take, but instead Strand Larsen did the honours and rifled into the net. The Norwegian giant then had consoling words with Pino during the celebration and ahead of the restart, presumably to explain why he had pulled rank to take it. Yegbe’s day almost got worse when Strand Larsen’s pass flew in off him from a full 35 yards – but the hilarious own goal was mercifully ruled out for offside. At that point, Lech’s numerous travelling fans did ‘the Poznan’, though it may have been because they no longer wanted to witness their team’s bad defending. Poznan went down to ten men for the final few minutes when Radoslaw Murawski was given a second booking for a barge before sub Eddie Nketiah fired home a cool fourth. Lech Poznan fans turn up the heat in the away end as they celebrate with a flare during the clash with Palace Credit: Getty Lech Poznan fans turn up the heat in the away end as they celebrate with a flare during the clash with Palace Credit: Getty Comment now