Gabon star Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang continued his red-hot scoring form on Thursday when he bagged a hat-trick to help his club Borussia Dortmund to a 1-3 victory over Azerbaijani side Qabala in the UEFA Europa League.

The 26-year-old striker scored twice in the first half and once in the second before Brazilian forward Dodo netted a consolation in stoppage time.

The three goals take his tally to an astonishing 18 goals in 16 games for his club in all competitions this season.

Elsewhere in the same competition, Nigerian striker Kehinde Fatai scored a goal for Serbia's Sparta Praha as they drew 2-2 with German hosts Schalke 04.

Cote d'Ivoire striker Lacina Traore scored the only goal of the match for French club Monaco as they defeated another Azerbaijani side Qarabag 1-0. It was his second goal in the competition this season.

Sao Tome striker Luis Leal was the hero for Portuguese side Belenenses as they came from behind to beat Swiss hosts Basel 1-2. Leal scored his side's first goal to level the score in the 27th minute, before adding the assist for the second goal just before the break.

Congo DR striker Cedric Bakambu scored twice in the first half for Spanish hosts Villarreal in a 4-0 thumping of Belarusians Dinamo Minsk. Cote d'Ivoire defender Eric Bailly capped the win in the 70th minute.

Rising Egypt striker Ahmed 'Koka' Hassan scored the opening goal for Portuguese side Sporting Braga as they edged French visitors Olympique Marseille 3-2. All goals were scored in the second half. 

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Meanwhile in the Champions League, Cote d'Ivoire stars lit up games for their clubs on Wednesday.

In England, Yaya Toure, starting alongside compatriot Wilfried Bony, inspired Manchester City to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sevilla. The visiting Spaniards grabbed the lead in the 30th minute, but City were level six minutes after a miscued attempt by Bony was deflected in.

On a day City were largely average, former Arsenal and Manchester City striker, now football pundit, Niall Quinn, attributed the win to the dominance of Yaya (above, pictured).

Manchester City, the rest of them struggled, it was a nervy night and the fans didn't get going at all. How they've (won) is beyond me," Quinn said on Sky Sports.

Manchester City find themselves in the Champions League at this time, Yaya Toure can hurt teams.

"When he plays as cover for the defence you lose so much of what can happen at the other end.

"It was like watching a big, strong kid in the playground, running through players. He can't be as effective playing 40 yards out playing the ball out to the right-back or the left-back."

On Tuesday, flying winger Gervinho posted another impressive display for Italian side Roma as they drew 4-4 with German hosts Bayer Leverkusen. The former Lille and Arsenal star set up Roma's fourth goal to make it 2-4 on 73 minutes before the Germans found two late goals.

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