Crystal Palace marked their first-ever UEFA Europa League match with a 4-0 win over Polish champions Lech Poznań at Selhurst Park on Thursday, September 17, as the competition’s opening matchday concluded. Pierre Sage’s side, who qualified as last season’s Conference League winners, were ahead inside 10 minutes when Yeremy Pino intercepted a loose throw from Terry Yegbe and finished into the corner.
Chris Richards doubled the lead with a header from an Adam Wharton corner, and Jørgen Strand Larsen made it 3-0 from the penalty spot before half-time after Pino was brought down in the area by Radosław Murawski. Substitute Eddie Nketiah completed the scoring in the 89th minute. Ismaïla Sarr, last season’s Conference League top scorer, also returned from the bench after a groin injury.
Bournemouth also won on their maiden European outing, beating Real Sociedad 2-1 in San Sebastián. Justin Kluivert put the Cherries ahead in the 11th minute and Rayan headed a second nine minutes later; Sergio Gómez pulled one back for the hosts, but Andoni Iraola’s side held on for the three points.
It was a difficult night for Celtic, who lost 3-1 at home to Ferencváros. Liam Scales turned a Bamidele Yusuf effort into his own net to give the Hungarian champions the lead, and although Mika Baur equalised shortly before half-time, the visitors quickly restored their advantage and added a third to leave Martin O’Neill’s side with an opening defeat.
Elsewhere on Thursday, Juventus thrashed NEC Nijmegen 5-0, Beşiktaş beat Marseille 4-1, Union SG won 3-0 at Viktoria Plzeň, OFI Crete beat Hoffenheim 2-0, Salzburg won 1-0 at Levski Sofia and Torreense edged Lillestrøm 2-1. Wednesday’s results included Sunderland 1-0 AZ Alkmaar, Milan 0-2 Benfica, Leverkusen 2-0 Celje, Anderlecht 1-2 Lyon and Olympiacos 2-1 Jagiellonia.
