Alexander Kerzhakov hit a second-half hat-trick as Zenit came from behind to get their group H campaign off to the perfect start.

Cypriot midfielder Asimakis Krassas had given the visitors from Athens a third-minute lead but Andrei Arshavin restored parity for the Russian outfit a minute before half-time.

Kerzhakov put his side ahead three minutes after the restart and made the points safe by completing his treble with further goals after 54 and 68 minutes.

Igor Denisov sealed the rout with the fifth three minute before the final whistle.

Also in group H, second division German side Aachen scored a shock 1-0 win at the expense of French high-flyers Lille.

Erik Meijer scored the only goal with a header for the team which earned their European ticket by finishing runners-up to German champions Werder Bremen in the German Cup final last season.

Zenit’s superior goal difference ensures they are the early pacesetters in that pool although Sevilla of Spain have not yet played a match.

In-form Brazilian Araujo Ilan scored the opener and Gregory Paisley provided the second as French club Sochaux came away from Georgia with a 2-0 win at the expense of home favourites Dinamo Tbilisi in group D – Newcastle’s group.

Steaua Bucharest scored two second-half goals to get their group B campaign off to a winning start with a 2-0 win over Standard Liege.

An own goal from Ivica Dragutinovic put the Romanian side ahead after 68 minutes before Adrian Neaga killed the game with his side’s second in the closing minutes.

Feyenoord’s 3-0 defeat of Hearts gave them control of group A, where German giants Schalke and Switzerland’s Basle drew 1-1.

And Rangers’ 5-0 drubbing of Amica Wronki, currently Poland’s third best side, was made better by the other result in group F – Auxerre’s 0-0 draw with Graz AK means Alex McLeish’s men are the early leaders.