By Robert Wheeler
- Brighton win first ever European game
- Wins for Liverpool and Villa
- Rangers drew but defeats for West Ham and Aberdeen
Europe – This Matchday saw Brighton & Hove Albion win their first-ever European game.
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Europa League
Brighton claim first win in Europe
Brighton & Hove Albion won their first-ever European game as they defeated Dutch giants Ajax 2-0 at the Falmer Stadium. Ajax are not the side they once were and are currently 17th in the Eredivisie but this was still a historical night for the Seagulls.
Joao Pedro gave the home side the lead as he fired in the rebound after Kaoru Mitoma had seen his initial effort saved by Diant Ramaj. The win was secured when Ansu Fati finished into the bottom corner.
Roberto De Zerbi‘s side are now third in Group B behind Marseille and AEK Athens. They face Ajax again next in the competition.
Liverpool put five past Toulouse
Liverpool defeated Toulouse 5-1 at Anfield which made it three wins from three for Jurgen Klopp‘s side who sit comfortably at the top of Group E.
Diogo Jota put the Reds in front after a fantastic run and finish. The French side equalised with Thijs Dallinga firing the ball through Caoimhin Kelleher.
Wataru Endo restored the home side’s lead when he headed in from Trent Alexander-Arnold‘s cross. Darwin Nunez made it three before the break with a shot into the top corner.
Nunez came close to getting another after half-time as his shot came back off the post but Ryan Gravenberch was on hand to turn it in. Mohamed Salah completed the drubbing after a great turn and finish.
West Ham’s unbeaten run comes to an end
West Ham United suffered their first defeat in the Europa League this season as they lost 2-1 to Olympiacos at the Karaiskakis Stadium.
Konstantinos Fortounis gave the home side the lead with a toe-poke from the edge of the box. Their advantage was doubled when Rodinei‘s ball in was turned into his own net by Angelo Ogbonna.
Lucas Paqueta got one back with a stunning volley but it was too little too late. The Hammers still remain top of Group A.
Rangers claim a point
Rangers drew 0-0 with Sparta Prague away from home. The result puts Philippe Clement‘s side third in Group C behind the Czech side and Real Betis.
Europa Conference League
Aston Villa win emphatically
Aston Villa showed their class as they defeated AZ Alkmaar 4-1 at the AFAS Stadion. A result that puts Unai Emery‘s side second in Group E, only behind Legia Warsaw.
Leon Bailey put Villa ahead with a great strike from the edge of the box. Their advantage was doubled when John McGinn‘s through ball was finished off by Youri Tielemans.
Ollie Watkins then turned the ball into an empty net before McGinn got on the scoresheet himself with a finish from a tight angle. The Dutch side got a consolation goal when Ibrahim Sadiq‘s shot went in off the post.
Heartbreak for Aberdeen
Aberdeen were edged out 3-2 by PAOK Salonika due to a late winner despite the Scottish side being two goals up. The devastating result puts Barry Robson‘s side third in Group G behind PAOK and Frankfurt.
The Dons took the lead at Pittodrie through Bojan Miovski and he turned provider when playing through Dante Polvara who chipped the visiting goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.
PAOK got one back when Kiril Despodov finished into an empty net. Vieirinha then equalised with a deflected shot. The Greek side claimed the victory with a 96th-minute penalty from Stefan Schwab.
the Europa League and Europa Conference League returns on Thursday, November 9.
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