Date: 27th November 2015 at 11:26am
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Liverpool moved to the top of group of Group B and secured their qualification for the next stage of the competition with a hard fought 2-1 win over Bordeaux at Anfield.

The Reds had to come from behind as Henri Saivet scored on 33 minutes after a direct free-kick had been given in the penalty area because Simon Mignolet held onto the ball for more than six seconds.

Jurgen Klopp’s side were back level five minutes later though, when James Milner slotted away a penalty after Christian Benteke was felled in the penalty area by Lamine Sane.

And with the last kick of the half, Benteke again showed his quality in front of goal, controlling the ball on the edge of the area and striking a right-footed shot low into the bottom  corner past Cedric Carrasso.

The Reds had further chances to put the game beyond reach in the second half, but two was enough. Next they face a final showdown against FC Sion to decide who tops Group B.

26th November 2015 - UEFA Europa League - Group B - Liverpool v Bordeaux - Henri Saivet of Bordeaux scores their 1st goal with a strike from an indirect free kick inside the box - Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Henri Saivet scores for Bordeaux from an indirect free-kick inside the box.

Rubin Kazan eased to a 2-0 home win over FC Sion to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.

Their task was made easier after midfielder Dirama Ndoye was sent off for the away side on 34 minutes, before goals from midfielder Blagoy Georgiev and striker Marko Devic sealed all three points.

The Russian side now need to beat Bordeaux in France and hope that Liverpool defeat FC Sion in order for them to qualify.

Tottenham also ensured qualification to the last-32 with a 1-0 win away in Azerbaijan against Qarabag.

The first half would have been one of frustration for the visitors, as Gurban Gurbanov’s side showed strong defensive solidarity to keep Spurs at bay until the interval.

Mauricio Pochettino’s men improved in the second half, and the first real chance came when Son Heung-min hit the bar from 20 yards after a slight deflection off a defender after 65 minutes.

The decisive moment came 13 minutes later, after a Christian Eriksen corner was flicked on by Son and headed in by Harry Kane for his second goal of the Europa League campaign, and ninth in his last six appearances.

The result means Spurs need just a point against Monaco to guarantee their progression as group winners.

22 November 2015 - Barclays Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham - Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur celebrates scoring  the opening goal - Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Kane was Tottenham’s match winner once again.

Elsewhere, in Group J, Anderlecht shocked Monaco with a 2-0 win away at the Ligue 1 outfit.

Goals from Guillaume Gillet and Frank Acheampong secured the win which sees the Belgians move on to seven points, meaning they have the chance to qualify for the last-32 when they host Qarabag in a fortnight.

Celtic crashed out of the Europa League after losing 2-1 at home to Dutch side Ajax.

Things looked positive early on for Ronny Delia, as he saw his side take the lead through a fine 20-yard strike from midfielder Callum McGregor after only three minutes.

However, their lead only lasted until the 22nd minute, when forward Arkadiusz Milik equalised with a fantastic bicycle-kick following Viktor Fischer’s headed effort.

Charlie Mulgrew missed the chance to put the Bhoys back in front in the second half, as his header from close range missed high over the bar, before the goal that all but confirmed Celtic’s fate; Vaclav Cerny’s right-footed shot to the bottom corner following a swift counter attack.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - AUGUST 16:  Celtic manager Ronny Delia looks on during the Scottish Premiership League Match between Celtic and Dundee United, at Celtic Park on August 16, 2014 Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Celtic manager Ronny Deila.

The result means Ajax can still qualify for the last-32, but will need to beat Molde at home and hope Celtic can win away to Fenerbahce, who are in the driving seat to qualify after a 2-0 win in Norway.

Two second half goals from Fernandao and Ozan Tufan moved the Turkish side onto eight points, two behind Molde, whose unbeaten run came to an end.

Elsewhere, one of the shocks of the night came in Russia as FC Krasnodar beat Borussia Dortmund 1-0, with midfielder Pavel Mama’s spot-kick after two minutes enough to settle the tie.

Athletic Bilbao all but ensured top spot in Group L after coming from 2-1 down to beat Augsburg 3-2 in Germany. Striker Aritz Aduriz was the hero, scoring a brace late on.

Lazio will qualify top of Group G after a 3-1 win at home over last year’s finalists Dnipro. Goals from Antonio Candreva, Marco Parolo and Filip Djordjevic saw the Italian side home.

Team of the Night: FC Krasnodar
Player of the Night: Fredy Montero (Sporting Lisbon)
Goal of the Night: Christian Benteke (LIVERPOOL vs Bordeaux)

 
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