PSV Eindhoven, Werder Bremen and Everton moved closer to the next round of the UEFA Cup with victories in their first-leg matches.

With Europe’s second-tier competition resuming at the round-of-32 stage after a two-month break, PSV beat Helsingborg 2-0, Werder Bremen defeated Braga 3-0, and Everton won 2-0 at SK Brann on Wednesday.

Also among the other 10 matches, former UEFA Cup winner Galatasaray drew 0-0 with Bayer Leverkusen in Istanbul, Marseille beat Spartak Moscow 3-0 and Anderlecht downed visiting Bordeaux 2-1.

Timmy Simons put the home side ahead with a seventh-minute penalty awarded for Daniel Andersson’s foul on Danko Lazovic.

The Serbia striker converted a right-footed shot from about 12 yards into the top right corner of goal after a cross from Ibrahim Afellay. Werder Bremen goalkeeper Tim Wiese saved two first-half penalties..

Werder took a fifth-minute lead with a 20-yard free kick by central defender Naldo, and Wiese preserved the advantage in the 10th when he dived to his right to deny Roland Linz. Daniel Jensen made it 2-0 in the 27th and Wiese saved his second penalty nine minutes later. Hugo Almeida completed Bremen’s win by converting another penalty.

Everton won their sixth straight UEFA Cup match with goals by Leon Osman and substitute Victor Anichebe.
Elsewhere, Ismael Blanco scored in injury time to salvage a 1-1 draw for AEK Athens against visiting Getafe. Zenit St. Petersburg beat Villarreal 1-0, and Panathinaikos drew 0-0 with Rangers in Glasgow.