Bournemouth celebrated a historic European home debut with victory over Sturm Graz, while Sunderland left it late to overcome Torreense and Brighton swept aside Kauno Zalgiris on Thursday night.
But Crystal Palace suffered their first European defeat of the campaign as defensive frailties proved costly in Lyon, where manager Pierre Sage endured a disappointing return to his former club.
The evening's football took place following English sides' exploits in the Champions League.
In that competition, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool all emerged victorious.
Both Manchester clubs were unable to do the same, however, with United losing to Atletico Madrid - while City were thumped by holders PSG.
Read on below for a recap of the night's Europa League and Conference League action.
Bournemouth 3-0 Sturm Graz
Bournemouth marked their first European home fixture in style as Evanilson, Rayan and Alvaro Rodriguez delivered a convincing victory in front of a record crowd of 12,010.
A special tifo greeted the teams on a landmark evening for a club whose Football League status was threatened by a 17-point deduction in 2008.
Captain Adam Smith, whose association with Bournemouth stretches back to their League One days, helped create the breakthrough.
His cross was expertly flicked over goalkeeper Daniil Khudyakov by Evanilson.
Marco Rose’s side, seeking a response to their 5-1 defeat at Chelsea, dominated the opening half and registered 10 attempts without conceding one.
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Sturm Graz improved after the interval, with Jurgen Heil striking the post, but Bournemouth’s substitutes helped settle the contest.
Rayan smashed home after Khudyakov spilled a corner with 15 minutes remaining, before Rodriguez completed the scoring from the penalty spot.
The result followed Bournemouth’s victory at Real Sociedad, making it two European wins from two despite their continuing search for a first league victory.
“Performance-wise, clean sheet, attitude, effort — a deserved win,” said Rose, whose side host Sunderland on Sunday.
Torreense 1-2 Sunderland
Noah Sadiki struck in stoppage time as Sunderland came from behind to win their first European away match in 53 years.
Nearly 4,000 travelling supporters celebrated a dramatic finish after Regis Le Bris’ substitutes transformed a difficult evening against Portuguese second-tier opposition.
Le Bris made seven changes, but Torreense — who qualified by stunning Sporting Lisbon in the Portuguese Cup final — produced another reminder of their threat.
Defender Volnei Feltes advanced from his own half, evaded Malick Fofana and Nilson Angulo and curled a magnificent effort into the top corner.
Sunderland struggled to break through, with goalkeeper Lucas Paes brilliantly denying an Angulo header before Omar Alderete failed to convert the rebound.
Le Bris responded by introducing Granit Xhaka, Enzo Le Fee, Reinildo and Nordi Mukiele.
Mukiele supplied the cross for Jules Ahoka to head the equaliser, before Le Fee’s delicate pass found Xhaka, whose first-time touch set up Sadiki’s winner.
“When Granit touched it I heard him scream shoot and I didn’t think twice,” Sadiki said after scoring his first Sunderland goal.
Lyon 3-2 Crystal Palace
Substitute Daichi Kamada added impetus, seeing penalty appeals rejected and a close-range effort saved.
However, Pavel Sulc’s clever backheel restored Lyon’s two-goal cushion before Kamada eventually found the net.
Chris Richards threatened a late equaliser with a header, but Palace were left to rue another damaging defensive display.
“Our game started at half-time and it was too late,” Sage admitted.
Brighton 4-0 Kauno Zalgiris
Brighton opened their Conference League campaign emphatically, extending their winning run in all competitions to five matches.
The Lithuanian visitors frustrated Fabian Hurzeler’s side for much of the first half, throwing bodies in the way as Brighton searched for an opening.
Georginio Rutter finally broke through after 41 minutes, with VAR confirming the ball had remained in play during the build-up after the on-field officials initially ruled otherwise.
Jack Hinshelwood, returning from an ankle injury for his first appearance since August, added a second before half-time.
Rutter then claimed his second goal and Matt O’Riley completed the scoring as Brighton enjoyed an ideal warm-up for Sunday’s meeting with Palace.
“We want to keep improving every game,” Hinshelwood said. “What’s happened in the past has gone now. We want to look forward to the future.”
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