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Europa League, day 1

Mixed results for La Liga sides in the first day of the Europa League tonight, Sevilla the only one of the three to win after they beat Estoril 1-2 in Portugal. Vitolo started things off for Emery's side, and although Bruno Miguel equalized two minutes later, Gameiro got the winner near the end. Sevilla's neighbours Betis drew 0-0 against group favourites Olympique Lyon, but Valencia's poor start to the season continued after they were comprehensively beaten 0-3 by Swansea. The Ches were left with ten men when Rami was sent off with less than ten minutes gone, and strikes by Bony, Michu and De Guzman gave Michael Laudrup's side the opening three points. (19.09.13)

Valencia 0 - Swansea 3

Valencia's poor start to the season continued after they were comprehensively beaten 0-3 by "Spanish" Swansea in their opening group game. The Ches were left with ten men when Rami was sent off with less than ten minutes gone for pulling back Bony as he advanced on goal, and although Djukic tried to close the door by bringing on Costa, the change came to late to prevent Bony from connecting with Michu's cross to put the Welsh side ahead. There was little reaction from the Ches though, and Dyer, Bony and Michu could all have added to the lead before De Guzmán and Pozuelo combined to set up Michu for the second. De Guzmán himself added a third for Michael Laudrup's side soon afterwards, and Valencia's first real effort at goal didn't come until ten minutes from the end when Postiga headed wide. After losing three of their four opening league games as well, there were serious protests from the crowd after the game ended.

Estoril 1 - Sevilla 2

Sevilla were the only Spanish side to win their opening game in the group stage of the Europe League, Unai Emery's side beating Estoril 1-2 on Thursday evening. Some 3,000 fans made the short journey to the Portuguese coast, making up over half the crowd and virtually turning the match in to a home tie. And the Andalusians had the advantage in the first half, Bacca failing to convert a couple of chances and Marin and Vitolo going close. With just under an hour on the clock a good run by Marin ended with the on-loan Chelsea midfielder setting up Vitolo for the opener, but the locals equalized just two minutes later after Javi Varas prevented Evaldo from taking advantage of Balboa's pass, the ball spinning away for Bruno Miguel to turn it back in to the net. Substitute Gameiro restored the lead though with a quarter of an hour to go, and both keepers had saves to make after that to prevent the scoreline from changing any further.

Betis 0 - Olympique Lyon 0

Betis began the new Europa League campaign proper with a 0-0 draw against group favourites Olympique Lyon, who are only playing in this competition after losing to Real Sociedad in the Champions League qualifying round. True to his word, coach Pepe Mel put out a completely different line-up, Vadillo the only player to start from the eleven who began the weekend league match against Valencia. It took them some time to get going though, Andersen having to save from Lacazette early on and Grenier firing a free kick over the bar. Chuli had a couple of efforts blocked either side of half time however and Cedrick shot straight at the keeper with Nosa free alongside him just before the break, and after the restart Nosa hit the outside of the post following a good run. Umtiti went close from another Grenier free kick, and Lacazette came up against Andersen again in reply, but Cedrick could have won it for the Andalusians had he been able to beat Anthony Lopes late on.