Gunners on top.

Sanchez on scoresheet in fine win over Cologne as Everton disappoint in Italy

Alexis Sanchez scores Arsenal’s second goal in a 3-1 Europa League victory over Cologne at the Emirates last night. The game kicked off an hour late after crowd problems, with an estimated 20,000 Cologne fans at the game despite the German club receiving only 2,900 tickets.

ARSENAL 3 COLOGNE 1

Arsenal came from behind to beat Cologne in their delayed Europa League opener against a backdrop of crowd trouble at the Emirates Stadium last night.

Kick-off was delayed by an hour as ticketless away supporters attempted to enter the ground, with plenty of Cologne fans sitting among the home section when the tie finally got under way amid a tense atmosphere, with the Gunners eventually winning 3-1.

Four arrests were made on suspicion of public order offences as extra police were deployed to the scene.

On the pitch, Arsene Wenger’s muchchanged side showed determination to fight back from Jhon Cordoba’s ninthminute 40-yard strike and seal three points.

It was only after the interval, following the introduction of Sead Kolasinac and a change of shape, that the Gunners hit back. Kolasinac levelled less than four minutes after coming off the bench and Alexis Sanchez, a surprise starter ahead of a trip to Chelsea on Sunday, scored a marvellous solo goal before Hector Bellerin secured the win late on.

The game was placed in doubt as a onehour delay was announced due to crowd safety concerns and there are plenty of questions to be answered by Arsenal as to how the situation was able to unfold as it did.

Problems were all but a certainty as around 20,000 Cologne supporters took to the streets of central London hours before kick-off.

ATALANTA 3 EVERTON 0

Everton produced another hugely disappointing display as they were beaten 3-0 by Atalanta in their Europa League Group E opener in Reggio Emilia last night.

The Toffees went into the match having suffered a 3-0 home loss to Tottenham five days earlier and with boss Ronald Koeman stressing they would “need to react” in Italy after that poor performance.

But they were abject once again here, with their sloppiness punished by a dynamic Atalanta side who scored three times in the first half through Andrea Masiello, captain Alejandro Gomez and Bryan Cristante.

While failing to mount anything really resembling a fightback after the break, Koeman’s men at least managed to avoid conceding any further goals, although Remo Freuler’s shot did connect with their crossbar.

Everton will have hoped the fact this match was taking place at Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia rather than at Atalanta’s Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’italia home – which is to be redeveloped to make it fit for European competition – would mean last season’s Serie A surprise package were less potent than they would have otherwise been.

But it was clear from the off that the Bergamo outfit, roared on by their vociferous fans, were going to provide a considerable challenge.

Getty. Everton’s Wayne Rooney looks on as Atalanta players celebrate; Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez is congratulated after making it 2-1.