LONDON: Ten-man Tottenham, living up to their ironic nickname from their own fans, defeated Azeri club Qarabag 3-0 in the UEFA Europa League but it was anything but straightforward.

First the kickoff was delayed by 35 minutes because of transport problens then Spurs were reduced to 10 men after eight minutes when Radu Dragusin was shown a red card. Later Qarabag missed a penalty, hit the bar and had a goal disallowed for offside but the 10 men deserved their victory.

Four minutes after Dragusin’s expulsion Brennan Johnson put Spurs ahead with a side-footed finish and Pape Matar Sarr doubled the lead seven minutes after the break.

Dominic Solanke effectively sealed the win in the 68th minute when he tapped home the third after an error by Qarabag keeper Mateusz Kochalski.

Qarabag had chances, Tural Baymarov missing from the penalty spot just before the hour mark and Junior hit the woodwork.

Roma had to settle for a 1-1 home draw with Athletic Bilbao after Aitor Paredes’s late equaliser for the Spanish side.

Ukrainian forward Artem Dovbyk scored with a powerful header in the 32nd minute of the teams’ first European meeting, but Paredes levelled with a header five minutes from time.

Rangers took an early lead against Swedish side Malmo through Nedim Bajrami in an early kickoff before Ross McCausland sealed a 2-0 win for the Scottish side.

Ajax Amsterdam overwhelmed Turkey’s Besiktas 4-0 at home thanks to goals by Kian Fitz-Jim, Kenneth Taylor and a brace from Mika Godts.

Olympique Lyonnais clinched a 2-0 home victory over Conference League champions Olympiacos through quick-fire second-half goals by Rayan Cherki and Said Benrahma.

Eintracht Frankfurt were held to a 3-3 home draw by Viktoria Plzen after the Czech side fought back with two late goals.

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