Chelsea Win 1-0 over Sparta and Zenit Shock Liverpool 2-0

 Substitute Oscar scored the only goal in an uninspiring match as Chelsea started their Europa League campaign with victory against Sparta Prague.

Oscar, combining nicely with Eden Hazard, found the bottom corner within 45 seconds of coming off the bench.

The visitors created little but, with the second leg at Stamford Bridge, are in prime position to progress. The best chances fell to Sparta's David Lafata, but the striker shot high and wide on both occasions.

 Liverpool paid for profligacy as goals from Hulk and Sergei Semak gave Zenit St Petersburg a commanding lead in the first leg of their Europa League tie.

Luis Suarez was guilty of several misses including a shot from five yards out and a curling effort just wide.

Hulk had already hit the post in the first half but smacked in a swerving shot after 69 minutes.

And three minutes later Semak tucked in at the back post to give Liverpool an uphill task in the second leg. Suarez, who is Liverpool's top scorer this season, also failed to capitalise when he failed to test the Zenit keeper despite being clean through, and shot wide with two other chances.