In 24 matches last night, the UEFA Europa League got really interesting on matchday two. 68 goals were scored and there was not a single goalless draw across Europe.
However, it was a mixed night for the English clubs in action.
Careless Liverpool exposed at Anfield
Liverpool have work to do in Group A following a 3-2 home defeat to Udinese at Anfield.
The Reds dominated the first half and went ahead on 23 minutes courtesy of an excellent header from Jonjo Shelvey.
The Italians managed to stay in touching distance and were rewarded with a second half surge, punishing their slack opponents.
Another costly Glen Johnson error allowed Antonio Di Natale in within a minute of the restart to equalise.
Two goals in three second half minutes through a Sebastien Coates own goal and Giovanni Pasquale’s superb effort pushed Udinese into a 3-1 lead.
Despite a brilliant Luis Suarez free-kick, Brendan Rodgers will be lamenting some careless play which saw his side lose their third consecutive match at Anfield in all competitions.
A second half double from the mercurial Samuel Eto’o helped Anzhi to a 2-0 home victory against Young Boys, leaving them top of Group A.
Guus Hiddink’s side are now unbeaten in seven European matches and could be one side to watch as the competition progresses.
Newcastle celebrate in style
In Group D, Newcastle United celebrated their 100th match in UEFA club competition in style, as they eased past a static Bordeaux unit 3-0 at the Sports Direct Arena.
Despite resting some regulars ahead of Sunday’s Premier League match with Manchester United, Alan Pardew’s side were much too strong for their French counterparts.
An early effort from Shola Ameobi set the Toon Army on their way and an own goal from Henrique five minutes shy from half-time gave the Magpies some extra comforts going into the second half.
A morale boosting strike from Papiss Cisse on 49 minutes sealed an impressive victory to take them top of the group.
Club Brugge recovered from their matchday one mauling to Bordeaux, as they dispatched Maritimo 2-0. Carlos Bacca and Bjorn Vleminckx were on the scoresheet for the home side.
Tottenham missed a golden opportunity to take three points from Athens after drawing 1-1 with Panathinaikos.
Michael Dawson got a rare start and the club captain headed Andre Villas-Boas’s side infront on 35 minutes, glancing in a Tom Huddlestone free-kick.
The visitors went on to miss a host of glorious opportunities and were punished in the last 20 minutes, as Spanish striker Toche rescued a fortunate point for a below-par Greek side.
Lazio top Group J after overcoming Maribor 1-0. Ederson scored the only goal on 62 minutes in Rome while the Slovenians had Jovan Vidovic sent off.
Shaky Athletic slip in Prague
Last season’s beaten finalists Athletic Bilbao continued their shaky start to the season, after going down 3-1 to Sparta Prague inGroup I.
The Czech side recorded their first points of the campaign, courtesy of goals from Tomas Zapotocny, Bekim Balaj and a penalty from Josef Husbauer.
Spain striker Fernando Llorente was left on the bench as his frustration at not being allowed to move away from Bilbao seems to grow.
In the night’s other encounter, Lyon edged out Hapoel Kiryat-Shmona in Israel, winning a seven goal thriller 4-3.
Gueida Fofana snatched the victory for the French club with a header in stoppage time. The 2010 Champions League semi-finalists had been 2-0 and 3-1 ahead in stages during the match.
There were a couple of familiar scorers in Group C as Fenerbahce recorded a superb 4-2 away victory at Borussia Monchengladbach.
Cristian scored a double for the Turks and the other scorers for them were former Premier League players Raul Meireles and Dirk Kuyt.
Loic Remy helped himself to two goals as Marseille powered past AEL Limassol 5-1 at the Stade Velodrome.
Hannover 96 storm back
Hannover 96 went top of Group L after coming from behind to defeat Levante 2-1.
Michel and Szabolcs Huszti swapped first half penalties and it was left to Didier Ya Konan’s strike in the 49th minute to extend the German club’s unbeaten run in Europe to six matches.
They did this with 10 men too, after the early dismissal of right back Karim Haggui.
An 88th minute equaliser from Brazilian centre back Douglas saw FC Twente rescue a 2-2 draw in Sweden against Helsinborgs.
Former Liverpool player Sami Hyypia recorded his first win as a European coach; as Bayer Leverkusen overcame a stiff Rosenborg challenge to win 1-0 in Group K.
Substitute Stefan Kiessling came off the bench to make the telling contribution and claim the three points with a 76th minute goal.
Leverkusen slot in behind Metalist Kharkiv, who comfortably saw off Rapid Vienna 2-0.
Lastly, Nefcti’s UEFA Europa League group stage debut in Azerbaijan ended with an expectant defeat as they went down 3-1 to Inter Milan.
The Nerazzurri scored all three of their goals in the first half through Coutinho, Joel Obi and Marko Livaja.
Inter join Rubin Kazan on four points in Group H, as the Russians saw off Partizan Belgrade 2-0.
UEFA EUROPA LEAGUE MATCHDAY TWO RESULTS
Group A: Liverpool 2-3 Udinese
Group A: Anzhi 2-0 Young Boys
Group B: Atletico Madrid 1-0 Viktoria Plzen
Group B: Academica 1-1 Hapoel Tel-Aviv
Group C: Marseille 5-1 AEL Limassol
Group C: Borussia Monchengladbach 2-4 Fenerbahce
Group D: Newcastle United 3-0 Bordeaux
Group D: Club Brugge 2-0 Maritimo
Group E: Molde FK 2-0 VFB Stuttgart
Group E: Steaua Bucharest 1-0 FC Copenhagen
Group F: PSV Eindhoven 3-0 Napoli
Group F: AIK 2-3 Dnipro
Group G: Videoton 3-0 Sporting Lisbon
Group G: FC Basle 2-2 KRC Genk
Group H: Nefcti 1-3 Inter Milan
Group H: Rubin Kazan 2-0 Partizan Belgrade
Group I: Hapoel Kiryat-Shmona 3-4 Lyon
Group I: Sparta Prague 3-1 Athletic Bilbao
Group J: Panathinaikos 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur
Group J: Lazio 1-0 Maribor
Group K: Rosenborg 0-1 Bayer Leverkusen
Group K: Metalist Kharkiv 2-0 Rapid Vienna
Group L: Helsinborgs 2-2 FC Twente
Group L: Hannover 96 2-1 Levante
By Simon Wright – Follow me on Twitter @Siwri88
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