Pierre Sage experienced a bittersweet homecoming on Thursday night as his new side, Crystal Palace, were beaten 3-2 by his former club Lyon at the Groupama Stadium in the Europa League.

The defeat came just days after Sage had guided Palace to victory over Nottingham Forest, managed by his predecessor Oliver Glasner, in the Premier League at Selhurst Park. This time, however, it was Sage who found himself on the wrong side of the result, returning to the stadium where he spent 14 months in charge of the French club.

Lyon made a swift impact in front of their own fans, with Corentin Tolisso breaking the deadlock before Ernest Nuamah doubled the home side's advantage late in the first half. Palace struggled to make any impression in the opening 45 minutes, failing to register a single shot on target.

The visitors showed improved character after the interval. Yéremy Pino pulled one back five minutes into the second half, giving Palace hope of a comeback. That optimism was quickly dampened, though, as Pavel Sulc restored Lyon's two-goal cushion soon afterward.

Palace continued to push and were rewarded nine minutes from time when substitute Daichi Kamada reduced the deficit again, setting up a tense finish. Despite a spirited final stretch, Palace could not find the equaliser they craved, falling to a 3-2 defeat in a match that saw them perform notably better after the break than before it.

Notably, Ismaïla Sarr, last season's Conference League golden boot winner, started for Crystal Palace for the first time this campaign.

Elsewhere in the Europa League, Celtic were given a harsh lesson by a ruthless Benfica side in Lisbon, losing 4-1. The Portuguese club wasted little time asserting their dominance, with Colombian forward Jhon Durán converting a penalty just five minutes into the match after being fouled by Celtic's Dane Murray.

Benfica doubled their lead through defender Alexander Bah before Durán added his second of the night in the 35th minute, putting the Scottish champions firmly on the back foot. Martin O'Neill's Celtic side had chances of their own before half-time but could not convert them.

Celtic did manage to respond after the break, with Camilo Durán — who had joined the squad late following the birth of his second child — heading home a well-taken goal in the 63rd minute to briefly give his side hope. However, Benfica had the final say when substitute Vangelis Pavlidis struck in the closing minutes to complete a 4-1 victory for the home side.

In the Conference League, Brighton's Georginio Rutter made a forceful case for more playing time, scoring twice and setting up another as his side thrashed Lithuanian champions Kauno Zalgiris 4-0 at the Amex Stadium. Jack Hinshelwood and Matt O'Riley were also on the scoresheet, with Rutter making his first start since the opening matchday after losing his place to Charalampos Kostoulas.

Hearts were held to a 1-1 draw by Danish side Nordsjælland at Tynecastle. Oisin McEntee had given the Scottish side a first-half lead, but Nordsjælland struck late through a deflected effort from Nicklas Røjkjær to salvage a point.

In other continental action, Juventus moved top of their Europa League group with a dramatic 2-1 win at Celta Vigo, settled by a stoppage-time header from Randal Kolo Muani. Milan secured a comfortable 4-0 win at RB Salzburg, inspired by a hat-trick from young forward Alphadjo Cissè and a goal from record signing Gonçalo Ramos. Bayer Leverkusen also impressed, beating Lech Poznan 4-0 to go top of their standings, while Real Sociedad drew 1-1 at Union Saint-Gilloise following their opening defeat to Bournemouth.

Based on reporting from Guardian Football and Press Association.