In their first-ever match in the competition, Pierre Sage’s Eagles – captained by Wharton in the absence of Dean Henderson – were in electric form from kick-off.
Yéremy Pino, Chris Richards, Jørgen Strand Larsen and Eddie Nketiah got the goals to give Palace the perfect start to life in the Europa League – with Wharton at his playmaking best in the centre of the park.
“It was a great night,” Wharton told TNT Sport.
“It’s good to be back in Europe, under the lights at Selhurst, and it was a great way for us to start and that's how we mean to go on, so we’re delighted.
“I think there’s obviously still a lot to work on – it’s still early days, lots of new signings, new faces, so we’re trying to sort of gel as fast as we can – and it's been a bit of a slow start [this season], but I think tonight's a great step forward.
“You could see we were on the front foot, aggressive, trying to win the ball high and create lots of chances, and I think we did that. There were still a few moments where we can maybe be a bit tighter at the back, but it's definitely a step in the right direction.”