Arsenal won its first Europa League match in 17 years after a delayed start while AC Milan started fast in subduing host Austria Vienna 5-1 on Thursday.
Kickoff in Arsenal’s 3-1 win against Cologne was delayed for an hour after thousands of ticketless Cologne fans made it hard for ticketholders to get into Emirates Stadium. About 20,000 Cologne fans came to London, after only 3,000 tickets were allocated to them. Police said four people were arrested for public order offences.
Also, Atalanta struck three times in the first half to hand struggling Everton a 3-0 defeat, Spanish league co-leader Real Sociedad crushed Rosenborg 4-0, and Lyon drew with Apollon of Cyprus 1-1.
Police forces block Cologne supporters outside the Emirates stadium prior to the Europa League group H soccer match between Arsenal and FC Cologne at the Emirates stadium in London, England, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Cologne sits winless on the bottom of the Bundesliga, but its fans, walled off by security guards in the stadium, were celebrating after only nine minutes when Jhon Cordoba lobbed goalkeeper David Ospina from 40 yards out.
It took Arsenal 40 minutes to reply, through substitute Sead Kolasinac. Alexis Sanchez hit the match-winner, and started the move for the last goal, a rebound effort finished by Hector Bellerin.
“We went to four at the back at halftime and the second half was better,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said. “Kolasinac makes quick decisions, he’s strong in the tackle and quick going forward. He’s settled in quickly and we’re very pleased to have him.”
MILAN START FAST
Earlier, new AC Milan forward Andre Silva scored a hat trick. Milan made certain of the result within 20 minutes.
Midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu opened the scoring after seven minutes then set up two for Silva in the 10th and 20th.
“We played quickly, particularly in the first 20 minutes, finishing the game off clinically,” Milan coach Vincenzo Montella said. “This was a big win for us.”
Alexandar Borkovic’s header reduced the deficit early in the second half, Silva completed his hat trick, and Suso finished the rout just a minute after coming off the bench.
“Andre Silva … needed this,” Montella said.
After three years away, AC Milan returned to European competition as perhaps the favorite – at least until December when eight teams jump in as a result of placing third in a Champions League group.
Also, AEK won at Rijeka 2-1 in another Group D game.
EVERTON STRUGGLES
Following consecutive losses to Chelsea and Tottenham in the English Premier League, Everton went on to struggle in Bergamo. Wayne Rooney failed to impress and his teammates made no difference.
After a 26-year absence in Europe, Atalanta cruised, with all the goals in the first half.
BRAGA RALLIES
Hoffenheim’s confidence after beating Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Saturday was pricked by Braga, which rallied from a goal down to beat the German host 2-1.
Sandro Wagner headed in a Pavel Kaderabek cross for Hoffenheim to lead in its league debut in Group C.
Joao Carlos equalized, and another Ricardo Esgaio cross set up the match-winner for Dyego Sousa after the break.
OTHERS
Real Sociedad scored twice within a minute early in the first half on the way to a 4-0 victory over Rosenborg in its Europa League group stage debut. Diego Llorente netted the opener nine minutes into the game, and the closer in the second half.
In another high-scorer, Alassane Plea scored the first two goals to lead Nice over Zulte Waregem 5-1 in Group K.
Another Italian club, Lazio, came from a 2-1 down to win 3-2 at Dutch side Vitesse in its Group K opener. Murgia scored the winner 15 minutes from time after Ciro Immobile equalized eight minutes earlier.
Marseille beat Turkey’s Konyaspor 1-0 in Group I courtesy of a header by Adil Rami from Dimitri Payet’s corner kick.
Police with dogs keep watch over FC Koln fans during the Europa League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, London, Thursday Sept. 14, 2017. Extra police were sent to the stadium to deal with disorder after thousands of Cologne fans turned up ahead of the match. The game was due to kick off at 8.05pm but was been delayed by an hour in the interest of fan safety after huge crowds of Cologne supporters arrived at the ground. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez celebrates after scoring during the Europa League group H soccer match between Arsenal and FC Cologne at the Emirates stadium in London, England, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
FC Koln fans and police outside the stadium prior to the Europa League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium, London, Thursday Sept. 14, 2017. Extra police have been sent to the stadium to deal with disorder after thousands of Cologne fans turned up ahead of a match. The game was due to kick off at 8.05pm but has been delayed by an hour in the interest of fan safety after huge crowds of Cologne supporters arrived at the ground. (Nick Potts/PA via AP)
AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, left, team mate AC Milan’s Ignazio Abate, right, and Austria’s Christoph Martschinko, center, challenge for the ball during the Europa League group D first leg soccer match between Austria Vienna and AC Milan at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
AC Milan’s Andre Silva, bottom, celebrates after scoring his side’s fourth goal with team mate AC Milan’s Franck Kessie, top, during the Europa League group D first leg soccer match between Austria Vienna and AC Milan at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Milan’s players celebrate after scoring during the Europa League group D first leg soccer match between Austria Vienna and AC Milan at the Ernst Happel Stadium in Vienna, Austria, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Ronald Zak)
Lazio’s Alessandro Murgia, center, runs with the ball during a Europa League group K soccer match between Vitesse and Lazio at the Gelredome Arena in Arnhem, Netherlands, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Lazio’s Ciro Immobile, center, jubilates after scoring during a Europa League group K soccer match between Vitesse and Lazio at the Gelredome Arena in Arnhem, Netherlands, on Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Cologne supporters cheer during the Europa League group H soccer match between Arsenal and FC Cologne at the Emirates stadium in London, England, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez, right, and Cologne’s Jhon Cordoba challenge for the ball during the Europa League group H soccer match between Arsenal and FC Cologne at the Emirates stadium in London, England, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017 . (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
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