TEMPO.CO, London - Olympique de Marseille were the fall guys on a hectic opening night of Europa League group stage action as German club Eintracht Frankfurt returned from the south of France with a surprise 2-1 victory on Thursday.
Last season's runners-up made the perfect start with Lucas Ocampos scoring in the third minute but Eintracht hit back through Lucas Torro before Luka Jovic grabbed a late winner.
Eintracht, playing in their first European campaign since the 2013-14 season after winning the German Cup, were joined at the top of the early Group H standings by Lazio who beat Apollon Limassol 2-1 with goals by Luis Alberto and Ciro Immobile.
Sevilla, Europa League winners in 2014, 2015 and 2016, also opened with a victory, thrashing Standard Liege 5-1 in Group J with Ever Banega and Wissam Ben Yedder both scoring twice.
Unai Emery, who led Sevilla to that hat-trick, returned to the competition with his Arsenal side beating Ukrainians Vorskla Poltava 4-2 as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang netted twice.
Emery's 32nd Europa League win was a record for a manager.
Maurizio Sarri's Chelsea maintained their flying start to the season with a 1-0 victory at PAOK Salonika in their opening Group L fixture.
Brazil midfielder Willian's early strike proved sufficient to seal the points, although Chelsea could have won by a wider margin had they been sharper in front of goal.
The Premier League leaders have now won their opening six games under Sarri, who replaced Antonio Conte in July.
REUTERS
