Europa League holders Sevilla began its title defence with a 2-0 win at home Feyenoord while Everton claimed a 4-1 win at home to Wolfsburg in a couple of the Europa League group stage matches played on Thursday night.

In Andalucia, first half goals from Grzegorz Krychowiak and Stephane M’bia were enough to kick off the reigning champions Sevilla’s campaign with a win at home to the Dutch visitors.

On-loan Barcelona youngster Gerard Deulofeu however was the star of the night for Sevilla, setting up Krychowiak from a freekick for the opener in the ninth minute before also providing the assist to M’bia’s goal just after the half-hour mark from a freekick as well.

The win put Sevilla joint top of Group G alongside Standard Liege, with the Belgian club also winning 2-0 at home to Rijeka.

Elsewhere, goalkeeper Tim Howard put in a stellar display for Everton in the 4-1 win over Wolfsburg at Goodison Park, saving efforts from Luiz Gustavo, Ricardo Rodriguez, Ivica Olic, Kevin de Bruyne and Daniel Caligiuri at various stages of the match.

Rodriguez’s own goal had put Everton ahead after 15 minutes while Seamus Coleman headed in a cross-shot from Leighton Baines to double Everton’s lead on the stroke of half-time.

Baines made it 3-0 a minute into the second half with a penalty while afterwards, Howard made two double-saves within minutes of each other to deny Rodriguez and Olic, then Gustavo and Caliguiri before keeping out a Rodriguez freekick as Wolfsburg laid siege on the Everton goal.

Howard was at it again to deny De Bruyne before Kevin Mirallas added the fourth with eight minutes left to play. Rodriguez finally found a way past Howard with a stoppage time freekick as a more clinical Everton side ended the night the happier side.

In other matches played in the Europa League, Gonzalo Higuaín and Dries Mertens with a brace helped Napoli come from behind to beat Sparta Prague 3-1 in a Group I match while Fiorentina beat Guingamp 3-0 in a Group K encounter.

Vincent Enyeama’s Lille played out a 1-1 draw at home to FC Krasnodar, Tottenham Hotspur played out a goalless draw at Partizan Belgrade and Panthinakos lost 2-1 at home to Dinamo Moscow.