Mixed start for British clubs in Champions League

It was a mixed couple of evenings for British clubs in the Champions League with two sides recording comprehensive victories, one side drawing and the other two losing out.

For Premier League champions Leicester, it was a dream start to European life with a 3-0 win in Belgium, whilst Manchester City’s rearranged game following Tuesday night’s storm saw them ease past Borussia Monchengladbach.

Arsenal needed a late equaliser as they drew in Paris against the Ligue 1 champions, whilst Spurs, who play their three home group games at Wembley, lost to Monaco. Tuesday also saw Brendan Rodgers take his Celtic side to the Champions League group stages, but they were hammered at the Nou Camp against Barcelona.

 

Club Brugge 0-3 Leicester City 

Riyad Mahrez netted twice as Leicester won 3-0 against Belgium side, Club Brugge. Winger Marc Albrighton gave the Foxes an early lead, before a peach of a free kick from last year’s PFA Player of the Season saw Claudio Ranieri’s side head into the break in control. Mahrez, who has scored once from his first four Premier League games this season, added a third from the spot in the second half.

 

Manchester City 4-0 Borussia Monchengladbach 

It was a comfortable evening for Manchester City as they eased past German outfit, Borussia Monchengladbach. A hattrick from Sergio Aguero, his second trio already this season taking his goal tally to nine from just five games, put Pep Guardiola’s side in control, before a late Kelechi Iheanacho strike sealed the win.

 

 

Tottenham Hotspur 1-2 AS Monaco 

Tottenham, playing in Europe for the first time since 2010/11, got off to a poor start in front of 85,000 fans at Wembley. Mauricio Pochettino’s side were two goals down inside half an hour thanks to Carvalho Silva and Limar, but a Toby Alderweirweld header from an Eric Lamella corner before the break reduced the deficit. Spurs dominated the second half, but failed to find an equaliser.

 

 

PSG 1-1 Arsenal 

On Tuesday night, Arsenal needed a late goal from Alexis Sanches to earn a point in Paris against PSG. Edison Cavani, who should have netted a first half hattrick, put Les Parisiens ahead inside the opening minute, before the Chilean reduced a point for Arsene Wenger’s side. Both sides ended the game with ten men after Olivier Giroud was dismissed for the Gunners in stoppage time.

 

 

Barcelona 7-0 Celtic 

Celtic will want to forget their opening group game as the SPL champions were thrashed 7-0 in Barcelona. Celtic, who struggled through the qualifiers, were outclassed from start to finish, with Lionel Messi recording a hattrick. Neymar, Andres Iniesta and a brace from Luis Suarez sealed the win for the Catalans.