Jermain Defoe bagged a brace, while former Ajax midfielder Christian Eriksen scored his first Spurs goal in their 3-0 win over Norwegian side Tromso.
It was as routine as they come for the English side, as they look to improve on their quarter-final place from last season, where they lost to Chelsea’s recent conquerors FC Basel.
But it was Eriksen, wearing the No.23 shirt, who shone brightest, scoring this corker of a debut goal.
Welsh at heart, but improving the English standard, indeed, Swansea announced their arrival into the UEFA Europa League in some style.
Wilfied Bony and Michu starred in attack at the Mestalla against an abject Valencia with the Premier League side – and League Cup holders – took a 3-0 win.
As Michu and Bony showed a killer instinct up-front, Jonathan de Guzman’s third goal added some shine on to a historic victory.
Of course, a special mention to Wigan Athletic, last season’s FA Cup Winners, who picked up a point on their European debut with a 0-0 at Zulte Waregem.
Mixed fortunes for Germans – but Austrians shine:
Given the dominance of German football over the last 18 months and the powerhouse Bundesliga model, you can forgive the English for looking down on their rivals this week.
After all, SC Freiburg crumbled in the second-half, conceding two goals and their lead from the first 45 with both teams going down to 10-men.
Freiburg’s start to the season after being decimated in the summer has been worrying for head coach Christian Streich and his young side couldn’t hold their nerve in Europe.
Meanwhile, Vaclav Kadlec’s move to Eintracht Frankfurt looks to have turned their fortunes at the right time, as they dispatched of French side Bordeaux 3-0.
The pick of the bunch for Eintracht came from Constantin Djakpa’s beautifully curled free-kick in the second-half to complete the scoring.
But go less than a few hours from Munich across the Austro-German border and Red Bull Salzburg hit Swedish side Elfsborg for four in their Europa League clash.
Former Barca striker Jonathan Soriano was the in-form man from the energy drink-backed side who have had success aplenty in the Austrian Bundesliga.
Upsets for Dynamo Kyiv and PSV Eindhoven:
Have you ever heard of Bulgarian champions Ludogorets Razgrad? Me neither.
But for a club only 12 years old, you’ll have heard of them now after a 2-0 win against the seasoned Dutch veterans PSV Eindhoven.
Razgrad were knocked out of Champions League qualifying against FC Basel – but have started their campaign in the Europa League on a high.
Perhaps the best goal of the matchday, or not, came from Razgrad’s Roman Bezjak who instinctively fired the ball from 50 yards over the PSV keeper.
Elsewhere, Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kyiv went down 1-0 at home to Belgian side Genk who are most famous for producing the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Thibaut Cortouis from the excellent youth academy.
Fiorentina scored three unanswered goals against Portugal’s Pacos Ferreira, Lazio started with a 1-0 win over Legia Warsaw, while Lyon were held to a 0-0 draw at Real Betis.
And finally ….
Goalless draw’s aren’t always boring, as fans of APOEL Nicosia will confess in their Europa League tussle with Maccabi Tel-Aviv.
With the game at 0-0 after 95 minutes of action, Tel-Aviv were awarded a penalty kick, but APOEL’s legendary keeper Urko Pardo produced a decisive save from Barak Itzachi.
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