Football Programmes Centre

Mixed Fortunes for English Clubs in Europe
It has been an up and down kind of week for the Premier League clubs participating in the Champions League and Europa League first round of group games this week. Here's a quick round up on how they have got on.

The two London clubs in the Champions League experience differing fortunes this week. Arsenal were away at Dynamo Zagreb and expected to get a good result in the stadium where their forward Theo Walcott would recall scoring a superb hat-trick for England against Croatia. Walcott was not to start this game however, as Olivier Giroud was preferred by Arsene Wenger to lead the line. Unfortunately, Giroud would not make it to half time after receiving two yellow cards leaving the Gunners with ten men. Arsenal were two goals down before Walcott came on to score a consolation goal, leaving the result as a disappointing 2-1 defeat. Chelsea however were at home to Maccabi Tel Aviv and came away comfortable 4-0 winners, taking away some of the pain after their 3-1 defeat by Everton in the Premier League last weekend. The stand out goal was a stunning volley by Diego Costa, which will be a much needed boost for Jose Mourinho before they face Arsenal in the league on Saturday, you can find odd for that and all other Premier League matches at Betway Sportsbook.

Both Manchester sides were disappointed on Tuesday. United went a goal ahead away to PSV Eindhoven, but were ultimately undone by two goals from the Dutch side to make it a poor 2-1 defeat. More unfortunate that the defeat will be the loss of Luke Shaw, who was badly injured with a double fracture after being challenged in the PSV box. Manager Luis van Gaal will have to do without the England left-back, who has made some excellent performances so far this season for club and country. Manchester City were at home to last year's finalists Juventus, and coach Manuel Pellegrini will have been disappointed with the performance. Although they went a goal ahead through a Chiellini own goal, the blues never looked comfortable and were no match for the Italian team, who pulled back the deficit and left City wondering where their previously perfect start to the season has disappeared to.

In the Europa League, Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw away at Bordeaux after a lacklustre display, the goal coming from returnee Adam Lallana after a three week lay-off. They'll be looking to improve for the Premier League this weekend and you can find odds at Betway Sportsbook. Tottenham were comfortable 3-1 winners against FK Qarabag, with two goals from new signing Son Heung-min.
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