West Ham make history with Europa League win

West Ham United made history with a 2-1 UEFA Europa League win at Freiburg to extend their unbeaten record in European competition to 17 matches, the longest such run by an English side. 

How the match unfolded

Although there were no West Ham fans in the Freiburg stadium due to a UEFA ruling, those watching back home didn't have long to celebrate as Lucas Paqueta met Jarrod Bowen's eighth-minute cross to send a bullet header into the back of the net to put David Moyes' team in front.

West Ham dictated the opening half but were unable to add further goals and were made to pay when Freiburg went level through Roland Sallai four minutes after the break.

The Hammers, however, regrouped and regained their lead on 66 minutes with Nayef Aguerd's header from a pinpoint James Ward-Prowse corner to make it two wins in two to top Group A with six points.

Moyes's side will be looking to keep the momentum going on Sunday when they host a Newcastle United side buoyant from their 4-1 UEFA Champions League win over Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

See: West Ham report and line-up

Alexander-Arnold makes winning return

Trent Alexander-Arnold marked his return from injury by captaining Liverpool to a 2-0 win against Union Saint-Gilloise on a night that saw the Mac Allister brothers, Alexis and Kevin, face each other on opposing sides.

How the match unfolded

Liverpool started on the front foot and should have been ahead on 16 minutes when Mohamed Salah squared to Darwin Nunez, who only had to tap the ball home but somehow put his shot wide.

Nunez made amends though, setting up Alexander-Arnold for a shot that goalkeeper Anthony Moris couldn't hold and Ryan Gravenberch slotted home for his first goal for the club.

USG, who didn’t lose any of their five away matches in last season’s Europa League (W3 D2), came close to levelling just before half-time when Alisson missed the ball from a cross, but Ibrahima Konate was on hand to clear up the danger.

Jurgen Klopp made three changes at the break, bringing on Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Luis Diaz for Wataru Endo, Salah and Nunez with a nod to Sunday's Premier League match at Brighton & Hove Albion.

Liverpool, who had lost only one of 21 previous Europa League matches at Anfield (W15 D5), had further chances to increase their lead before Diogo Jota netted his third goal in his last four matches across all competitions to put the seal on it with a close-range finish in stoppage time.

See: Liverpool report and line-up

Brighton produce battling draw

Brighton picked up their first ever point in Europe with a brilliant second-half display at Marseille to earn a 2-2 comeback draw.

How the match unfolded

Marseille went 1-0 up when former Newcastle United defender Chancel Mbemba shot beyond goalkeeper Jason Steele into the bottom corner.

The French side doubled their tally only 89 seconds later with a shot from ex-Villa midfielder Jordan Veretout that slipped underneath Steele.

Brighton didn't panic, however, and started to create chances - Lewis Dunk, Ansu Fati and Danny Welbeck all having efforts saved before half-time.

Pascal Gross hauled Brighton right back into contention with a smart finish from Kaoru Mitoma's 54th-minute cross to set up a storming last half-hour.

Mitoma's effort from a tight angle was superbly saved and, with the match heading into the final two minutes, Joao Pedro kept his cool to calmly slot home Brighton's equaliser from the penalty spot after Tariq Lamptey had been fouled in the area.

The Seagulls quickly turn their attention back to Premier League business and the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, where a win could leapfrog Roberto De Zerbi's side above the Reds and into the top four.

See: Brighton report and line-up

McGinn's late show wins it for Villa

Aston Villa left it late to earn their first Europa Conference League points of the season with a 1-0 home success against HSK Zrinjski.

How the match unfolded

Villa dominated the opening half-hour at Villa Park with 71 per cent of the ball, yet were unable to create a clear effort on target to test Zrinjski goalkeeper Marko Maric.

Having thumped Brighton 6-1 last weekend, Villa head coach Unai Emery introduced Saturday's hat-trick hero Ollie Watkins, Matty Cash and Douglas Luiz at the start of the second half to inject some energy into their attacking play.

The move had a positive impact with Nicolo Zaniolo, Douglas Luiz and Ezri Zonsa among the Villa players who peppered the Zrinjski goal with shots.

Villa racked up 26 efforts on goal before John McGinn finally made one count, meeting Cash's right-wing cross with a perfect header into the bottom corner to lift the roof at Villa Park.

Emery's side will be determined to continue their winning form on Sunday when they face local rivals Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux looking for a fourth consecutive league victory.

See: Aston Villa report and line-up