Duff on the mark as Stokes helps to fire Celtic's European campaign

Group A

Rubin Kazan 1

Tottenham Hotspur 0

Tottenham’s second string failed to deliver the performance Harry Redknapp would have wanted as they were easily beaten in Russia.

Redknapp, who was released from hospital yesterday after heart surgery, watched from his Dorset home as Sebastien Bassong needlessly gave away a free-kick on the edge of the penalty area 10 minutes after half-time and Bebras Nacho took full advantage by clipping the set-piece over the wall and past Carlo Cudicini.

Had it not been for a number of excellent saves from Cudicini, the scoreline could have been worse and Spurs did not register a shot on target in the game.

Group E

Maccabi Tel-Aviv 1

Stoke City 2

Second-half goals from Dean Whitehead and Peter Crouch earned Stoke a notable win in Tel Aviv yesterday and took them to the brink of qualification.

The Potters had beaten their Israeli opponents 3-0 a fortnight ago at the Britannia Stadium but Maccabi went into the match unbeaten in 12 European games at home stretching back to 2004.

Stoke had much the better of the first half without managing to break the deadlock, but Whitehead put that right six minutes after the break with a neat finish from a tight angle before substitute Crouch tucked away the midfielder’s cross 13 minutes later, with Roberto Colautti’s late header just a consolation for the hosts.

Group H

Birmingham City 2

Club Brugge 2

Birmingham produced a stunning second-half comeback to rescue a point from their clash with Club Brugge to keep alive their hopes of reaching the last 32.

Chris Hughton’s side trailed 2-0 at the interval with Thomas Meunier and Joseph Akpala striking in a five-minute spell.

But Jean Beausejour reduced the arrears and then won the penalty converted by substitute Marlon King which brought the English League Cup holders level.

Group I

Celtic 3

Rennes 1

Anthony Stokes’ first-half double and a late strike from substitute Gary Hooper gave Celtic victory over Rennes at Parkhead to boost their Europa League hopes.

Skipper Kader Mangane headed the French side into the lead from a Julien Feret corner with less than two minutes on the clock but on the half-hour mark James Forrest’s drive was parried by Rennes goalkeeper Benoit Costil to the feet of Stokes, who knocked into the net from close range.

Two minutes before the break Republic of Ireland international Stokes grabbed his second with a drive after racing onto a Georgios Samaras header and in the 81st minute the Greece striker set up Hooper, on for Forrest, to score number three as the visitors finished with 10 men after star midfielder Yann M’Vila was sent off after picking up two yellow cards.

Group K

Fulham 4

Wisla Krakow 1

Andrew Johnson’s brace helped Fulham comprehensively beat Wisla Krakow and edge closer to knockout stages.

The Cottagers took an early lead through Republic of Ireland international Damien Duff but were soon pegged back by Andraz Kirm, whose shot deflected in off John Arne Riise.

Johnson helped Fulham regain their lead on the half-hour mark with a superb volley, before he extended the home side’s advantage and substitute Steve Sidwell wrapped up the win which means that Fulham are now unbeaten at home in 22 games in European competition.