Richards on Poznan win and building momentum

First-team

3 hours ago

Chris Richards is already targeting back-to-back wins after his goal helped Palace to a dream start in the Europa League against Lech Poznan.

The centre-back powered home a header for his first goal in Europe, putting the Eagles on their way to a comprehensive 4-0 win over the Polish outfit at a raucous Selhurst Park.

Despite his delight at getting on the scoresheet, that wasn't what pleased the USA international the most on Thursday evening.

"It was lit tonight," Richards told Palace TV. "I think the fans obviously gave us that extra momentum that maybe we needed.

"It's a different competition [from the Conference League] but regardless, it's a European competition. I'm just very excited for how tonight went and looking forward.

"We could have scored five, six goals, that would have been even better. But regardless, I think a clean sheet from a defender's perspective is always good.

"Obviously, four goals is always nice.

"For me, it was always good getting on the score sheet. But I think that keeping a clean sheet meant even more."

The win was Palace's third in four games in all competitions.

And Richards is seeking further gains when attention switches back to domestic matters on Sunday. Palace visit Leeds United at Elland Road in the final game before the September-October international break.

"We want to gain momentum," he said. "Even though the international break is coming. I think after a game like tonight, we want to keep that same momentum that we've had.

"I think we deserved a little bit more on the weekend [against Ipswich], but that's just how the cookie crumbled.

"On Sunday [against Leeds] we want to get a good result and go into the international break with another three points."

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