Thursday’s briefing: Champions League trio cash in, as another offers cash back

There were wins for Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea on Wednesday night.

Liverpool and Newcastle enjoyed convincing Champions League wins while Chelsea also ground out a victory to give England five representatives in the competition’s top eight with one round of league phase fixtures remaining. Meanwhile Manchester City, who have slipped down to 11th in the standings after their shock loss at Bodo/Glimt on Tuesday, have offered to refund the tickets of the fans who made the trek to watch them in Arctic Circle.

Quiet return for Mohamed Salah in Liverpool win

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah applauds fans after a game — Mohamed Salah was quiet on his Liverpool return (Martin Rickett/PA)

Dominik Szoboszlai stole the spotlight from the returning Mohamed Salah as Liverpool beat Marseille 3-0 to move within sight of a last-16 place.

While all eyes were on the Egypt international it was his close friend who surprised the hosts with a clever free-kick under the wall in first-half added time at the Stade Velodrome.

Jeremie Frimpong’s second-half cross deflected in off goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli to give Arne Slot’s side breathing space before Cody Gakpo rounded off the scoring.

Magpies triumph with Yoane Wissa among goalscorers

Newcastle United’s Yoane Wissa celebrates scoring against PSV Eindhoven — Newcastle were set on their way by Yoane Wissa (Owen Humphreys/PA)

Yoane Wissa scored his first Champions League goal as Newcastle also won 3-0 against PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park.

Wissa, Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes all pounced on errors from the runaway Eredivisie leaders to ease their side to victory.

Moises Caicedo scored a late winner as Chelsea edged to a nervy 1-0 win over Pafos at Stamford Bridge in Liam Rosenior’s first European match in charge.

Travelling Manchester City fans to be refunded by players

Manchester City’s Erling Haaland looks dejected after his side concede a goal — Erling Haaland is among the players offering to refund fans (Mike Egerton/PA)

Manchester City’s players will refund supporters who travelled to Norway for their dismal 3-1 loss to minnows Bodo/Glimt.

A statement from the captains group of Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rodri and Erling Haaland read: “Our supporters mean everything to us.

“We know the sacrifice that our fans make when they travel across the world to support us home and away and we will never take it for granted.

“Covering the cost of these tickets for the fans who travelled to Bodo is the least we can do.”

Success for England duo Harry Kane and Marcus Rashford

Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane celebrates scoring a goal — Harry Kane was on target twice for Bayern Munich (PA)

England captain Harry Kane scored two goals and missed a penalty as Bayern Munich secured a place in the knockout stages with a 2-0 win over Union Saint-Gilloise.

Kane netted twice in quick succession early in the second half, once from the penalty spot, but missed out on a hat-trick when he hit the woodwork from a second spot-kick. Bayern finished with 10 men at the Allianz Arena after Kim Min-jae was sent off.

Another England forward, Marcus Rashford, made a big impact off the bench as Barcelona survived a scare to win 4-2 at Slavia Prague.

A Fermin Lopez double put Barca ahead after Vasil Kusej’s early opener but they were pegged back by a Robert Lewandowski own goal.

Dani Olmo restored Barca’s lead and Rashford teed up Lewandowski for a fourth.