Europa League action produced contrasting fortunes for the Premier League clubs on Thursday night, with Bournemouth maintaining their perfect European record, Crystal Palace salvaging a dramatic point and Sunderland suffering their first defeat of the league phase.
Elsewhere, AC Milan endured another damaging loss, Benfica and Ferencváros continued their perfect starts, while Celtic produced a late comeback victory over Beşiktaş.
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Bournemouth continue dream Europa League debut
Bournemouth remain one of the standout teams in this season’s competition after coming from behind to beat Sparta Prague 3-1 away from home.
The Premier League side fell behind when Ebrima Singhateh produced a fine individual finish for Sparta.
Bournemouth were handed an opportunity to respond before half-time when Tobias Guddal was sent off, although Lewis Cook failed to convert the resulting penalty.
Their numerical advantage eventually told after the break.
Tyler Adams came off the bench to equalize before fellow substitutes Evanilson and Rayan completed the turnaround.
The result gives Bournemouth four wins from four in their first European campaign, leaving them level on 12 points with Benfica and Ferencváros.
Kamada rescues Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace needed a stoppage-time goal to earn a 1-1 draw against Hoffenheim at Selhurst Park.
The German side took an early lead through Alexander Prass and appeared set to leave London with all three points.
Palace’s task became even more difficult when Adam Wharton was shown a red card in the 77th minute.
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Oliver Glasner’s side continued pushing forward and were rewarded deep into added time when Daichi Kamada scored the equalizer.
The result leaves Palace with five points from their opening four Europa League matches after previously recording one win, one defeat and one draw.
Sunderland suffer first European defeat
Sunderland’s unbeaten Europa League start ended with a 2-0 home defeat against GNK Dinamo.
Luka Stojković gave the Croatian side the lead midway through the first half with a well-taken volley.
He then turned provider shortly before the interval, setting up Dion Beljo to double the visitors’ advantage.
Sunderland pushed for a response after half-time, with Kevin Danso hitting the top of the crossbar while Brian Brobbey was denied by goalkeeper Dominik Kotarski.
The Black Cats could not find a breakthrough, however, and slipped to their first defeat after previously collecting seven points from their opening three matches.
Milan crisis deepens after Ferencváros defeat
One of the biggest shocks of the night came at San Siro, where Ferencváros beat AC Milan 2-0.
Lenny Joseph scored both goals for the Hungarian champions, capitalizing on a goalkeeping error for the opener before racing clear to add his second.
Ferencváros finished the game with 10 men after Bamidele Yusuf was sent off, but Milan failed to take advantage.
The Italian giants have now lost three of their opening four Europa League matches and sit outside the play-off positions with only three points.
Ferencváros, meanwhile, remain perfect with four victories from four.
Benfica remain top after Lech Poznań win
Benfica also maintained their 100 per cent record by beating Lech Poznań 3-1 in Lisbon.
The Portuguese side moved onto 12 points and lead the league phase on goal difference ahead of Ferencváros and Bournemouth.
Their strong start has established them among the early favourites to secure direct qualification into the knockout rounds.
Celtic complete dramatic comeback
Celtic recorded their first points of the league phase with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Beşiktaş.
Junior Olaitan put the visitors ahead after his penalty was initially saved, before substitutes Callum Osmand and Camilo Durán turned the match around.
Orkun Kökçü appeared to have rescued Beşiktaş with a late equalizer, but Durán struck again to secure Celtic’s first Europa League victory of the campaign.
Juventus and Marseille claim important wins
Juventus continued their strong European campaign with a 2-1 victory away to AZ Alkmaar.
Teun Koopmeiners opened the scoring against his former club before Randal Kolo Muani doubled the advantage.
AZ pulled one back late through Mexx Meerdink but could not complete the comeback.
Marseille also earned their first victory of the league phase after Amine Gouiri produced a brilliant solo goal to secure a 1-0 win away to Bayer Leverkusen.
Premier League teams face different paths
Bournemouth leave Matchday 4 in the strongest position among the English sides, having won all four of their matches.
Sunderland remain well placed despite their first defeat, while Palace will need more wins during the remaining four league-phase matches to strengthen their hopes of progressing directly.
The next Europa League matchday takes place on November 26, when Bournemouth travel to Celta Vigo, Palace host Real Sociedad and Sunderland welcome Jagiellonia.
