Kewell opened the scoring in the 22nd minute for the visitors and further goals from Shabani Nonda and Mehmet Topal took Rijkaard's men to 10 points from their four games to date.

They look certain to be joined by Group A pace-setters Ajax and Anderlecht, both of whom scored convincing wins over Dinamo Zagreb and Timisoara respectively to effectively seal their progress.

Ajax's 2-0 win in Zagreb was played behind closed doors as a result of serious crowd disturbances during Zagreb's game in Timisoara, for which the Croatians were also penalised three points subject to appeal.

Giuseppe Sculli struck in injury time to give Genoa a dramatic 3-2 win over Group B leaders Lille and boost its qualification hopes. The Italians are now level with Valencia, which blew a late 2-0 lead to draw with 10-man Slavia Prague.

Hapoel Tel Aviv moved to the top of Group C as it breezed to a 3-0 win at Rapid Vienna with goals from Avihay Yadin, Gil Vermouth and Bebars Natcho. Hamburg relinquished the lead after being held to a goalless draw by Celtic.

In a crucial clash in Group D, a double from Valeri Domovchiyski helped keep Hertha Berlin in with a chance of joining leaders Sporting Lisbon in the next stage as it edged Heerenveen 3-2.

Roma edged into second place in Group E after another hotly-contested clash with Fulham, which had two men sent off as the Italians hit back from a goal down to win 2-1 with goals from John Arne Riise and Stefano Okaka.

Former Arsenal star Robert Pires scored twice as Villarreal scored a sensational, quickfire 4-1 win over Lazio to leapfrog the Italians and wrest hold of second place in Group G.

Lazio were reeling after the Frenchman's opener with just two minutes on the clock, and things got worse when Roberto Baronio was sent off just two minutes later for a foul on Joseba Llorente.

Villarreal went further ahead on 13 minutes through Cani, and Pires added a second two minutes later.

Gonzalo Rodriguez was sent off for the home side on 33 minutes for a foul. Mauro Zarate reduced the deficit on 72 minutes, but the hosts had the final say when Giuseppe Rossi scored from the penalty spot seven minutes from time.

Defender Franz Schiemer's goal in the fifth minute of injury-time effectively secured qualification for Salzburg, who extended their lead at the top of the group to six points.

It was another grim European night for Everton, who were beaten 2-0 at home by Benfica, although a 2-2 draw between BATE Borisov and AEK Athens allows David Moyes' men to cling on to second place.

In-form Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk kept a tight grip on Group J by coasting to a 2-0 win over Toulouse in France, with goals coming from Luiz Adriano and and Olexiy Gay. Club Brugge are second after a 4-2 win at Partizan Belgrade.

Balazs Dzsudzsak's late equaliser earned PSV Eindhoven a 1-1 draw in Copenhagen and a result that keeps them firmly in control of Group K. Jesper Gronkjaer had given the Danes a first-half lead.

Sparta Prague remain in a strong position in second place - but only after a dramatic end to their game at CFR Cluj.

Sebastian Dubarbier tied the score at 2-2 with an equaliser in the first minute of injury time, only for Bony Wilfried to net a potentially crucial winner for the Czech side even deeper into added time.

Werder Bremen secured qualification from Group L, with late goals from Tim Borowski and Hugo Almeida giving them a 2-0 win over FK Austria. Atletico Madrid stay clear in second after a 1-1 draw with Nacional.