Europa League round-up:Almen Abdi's late penalty salvaged a point for under-strength Udinese in an enthralling 1-1 draw with Celtic at Parkhead today. The Hoops got off to a perfect start when midfielder Ki Sung-yueng scored from the spot in the third minute after striker Gary Hooper had been fouled by Joel Ekstrand.
The game ebbed and flowed, especially in the second half, and it looked like Neil Lennon’s men would see the game out. However, in the 86th minute Hooper, back defending, gave away a penalty when he clipped Neuton in the box and Abdi sent Lukasz Zaluska the wrong way from the spot.
It was hard luck for Celtic who have one point from two games following their 2-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in Spain earlier in the month.
Celtic had lost only once at home before to Italian opposition over 90 minutes which gave the home fans some encouragement, albeit live television and the early kick-off had clearly affected the attendance, with Parkhead less than half-full at kick-off.
In his pre-match press conference Lennon had warned his side against losing another early goal in Europe. However, it was the Hoops who took the early lead after when Hooper was clumsily pulled down by Ekstrand.
Referee Bulent Yildirim did not point to the spot at first but after appearing to wait for some guidance from his linesman he eventually confirmed what had looked obvious. Spot-kicks had been an Achilles heel of Celtic recently but after some delay Ki confidently slammed the penalty high past Handanovic.
Celtic looked in no real danger of losing their lead although a few crosses into their box, as the Italian side tried to battle back, had the fans holding their breath.
In the 62nd minute Wanyama fouled Fabbrini 30 yards from goal and from Cristian Battocchio’s chipped free-kick, Abdi had a shot which ended at the feet of Benatia who slipped the ball in to the net from close range.
Abdi drove just wide from distance in the 84th minute and moments later, after Samaras led a Celtic counter-attack, Ki’s thunderbolt drive was tipped over the bar by Handanovic.
At the other end Zaluska made a fine save from Isla, who only had the keeper to beat, but within seconds Hooper clumsily conceded a penalty for a foul on Neuton and Abdi sent Zaluska the wrong way from the spot.
Celtic may have their first point on the board but stay bottom of the Group I table after Rennes earned a point against Athletico Madrid with a 1-1 draw.
Odense 0 Fulham 2:Andrew Johnson's brace helped Fulham end an eight-game winless run and secure three points with at Odense.
The 30-year-old broke the deadlock with a first-half strike that snuck under former Everton goalkeeper Stefan Wessels, before scoring with a neat curling effort with two minutes remaining.
Odense had started the Group K encounter strongly and Djiby Fall twice went close to breaking the deadlock in the opening 20 minutes. Mark Schwarzer did well to save the first effort and was called into action on a number of occasions during the evening’s play at the Odense Stadion.
The hosts had only lost one of their previous 15 home games in European competition, but the west Londoners remained resolute to secure victory.
The win leaves Fulham level on points with FC Twente at the top of Group K after the Dutch side ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Wislaw Krakow.
Maribor 1 Birmingham 2:Wade Elliott spared Birmingham goalkeeper Colin Doyle's blushes as his winner earned the Championship side their first Europa League victory despite his team-mate's horrendous blunder.
Doyle had gifted NK Maribor the half-time lead in their Group H clash when he swung at and missed Jonathan Spector’s backpass to allow Dalibor Volas to score a comical opener.
But Scotland winger Chris Burke levelled and then Elliott, a recent signing from Burnley, earned Chris Hughton’s side a memorable victory with a classy strike to give his side real hope of making a push for the knock-out stages.
Brugge moved to the top of the Group H standings as they defeated last year’s beaten finalists Braga 2-1 in Portugal.
