Fulham manager Hughes defends post-match behaviour

Manchester City's Italian forward Mario Balotelli (C) is fouled by Fulham's Norwegian defender Brede Hangeland (down) during the English Premier League football match between Manchester City and Fulham at The City of Manchester stadium. Fine finishes from Balotelli and Damien Duff were the only brief highlights in an otherwise dire contest as Manchester City and Fulham shared the points.

Fulham manager Mark Hughes defended his post-match behaviour after watching his side leave Eastlands with a point following a truly dreadful 1-1 draw against Manchester City.
Hughes was sacked by City in December 2009 and this was his first return to the stadium in a professional capacity.
He watched his committed and passionate side come from a goal behind to earn a point and ensure City's Premier League title ambitions took another huge blow.
Hughes was replaced at City by Roberto Mancini and at the final whistle Hughes snatched his hand away from the Italian's grasp as he felt Mancini was not showing enough respect before he stormed down the tunnel.
The Fulham manager has previous history for falling out with fellow bosses after games and has had similar spats with Arsenal's Arsene Wenger and Stoke City's Tony Pulis in the past.
He said: "It's probably my fault again but I'm a bit old fashioned and I always think that you offer your hand regardless of the circumstances.
"I had to offer my hand and do it with sincerity when we were beaten 4- 1 by City earlier this season.
"I was disappointed but I acknowledged that they were better and he deserved a handshake of sincerity.
"I don't think he really acknowledged the effort of my team when he offered his hand. I might have got the wrong impression but that was my take on it."
In a terrible encounter, neither goalkeeper had much to do until a moment of brilliance from Mario Balotelli after 26 minutes when he shrugged off the attentions of Danny Murphy and fired a low effort that left Mark Schwarzer no chance.
The rest of the first half remained just as dire as the opening stages and Fulham made City pay for their blas� attitude with a brilliant equaliser straight after the interval.
Andy Johnson's chased down a long through ball and fired in a superb low cross which found Damien Duff just seven yards out and he clinically slotted past Joe Hart. It was a wonderfully executed piece of skill and Fulham deserved the goal for the discipline and commitment they were showing.
After the break, frustrations continued to grow as City lacked the spark of class needed to hurt the visitors, who held on for a fine draw that leaves them four points off the relegation places.
Hughes added: "I enjoyed the performance of my team. I thought we were excellent from start to finish. We took the game to City and showed belief in what we are trying to do.
"Their goal was against the run of play and if you are 1-0 down at halftime at City, and given the quality of their home record, it looked a difficult task for us.
"We just needed a break and it came very early in the second half with a fantastic goal, great build up and a fantastic finish and then from that point on, the only disappointment is that we didn't take all three points."
Opposite number Mancini did not wish to be drawn into discussing the handshake incident and preferred to focus on his side's failings and in particular the selfishness of Balotelli who did little else but score.
He said: "For you maybe (the handshake) is more interesting than the match but not for me.
"I am disappointed with the result but I knew that this is an option when you play every three days and we have a few players injured at this moment. It can happen. Second half probably we were so tired.
"Today was very difficult. He scored a good goal but I am not happy. He should play well and better than today. For the strikers it is important to score. But strikers should also play for the team.
"Not just for Balotelli, for Carlos and Dzeko. They should always play with the team. Afterwards they should try and score. Mario can play better."

Martins sinks Arsenal to give Birmingham League Cup trophy

Birmingham City's Obafemi Martins (R) celebrates with teammate English midfielder Lee Bowyer after scoring during the Carling Cup final football match between Arsenal and Birmingham at the Wembley Stadium in London. Birmingham City won 2-1.

A last-minute goal by Obafemi Martins saw Birmingham score a stunning 2-1 League Cup final upset over Arsenal here Sunday as the Gunners' six-year trophy drought continued.
Martins pounced in the 90th minute after a dreadful mix-up between Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny and defender Laurent Koscielny gifted a chance to the Blues' Nigerian striker.
The last-gasp winner was no less than Birmingham deserved after a gutsy display at Wembley that saw them make a nonsense of Arsenal's pre-match status as heavy favourites.
Victory was especially sweet for Birmingham's Hong Kong-based owner Carson Yeung, celebrating his 51st birthday with the club's first piece of silverware since 1963.
But it was a disastrous result for Arsenal, who had been desperate to lift some silverware this year for the first time since their 2005 FA Cup final win over Manchester United.
Birmingham manager Alex McLeish said that it was a remarkable result given several of his players hadn't been able to train all week.
"This feels like the best ever win of my life," said 52-year-old McLeish, who won seven trophies during his spell as manager of Scottish giants Rangers.
"In relative terms for us to put one over Arsenal is a titanic result."

Birmingham City's coach Alex McLeish holds the trophy at the end of the Carling Cup final football match between Arsenal and Birmingham at the Wembley Stadium in London. Birmingham City won 2-1.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger spoke of his "bitter disappointment" after the loss, revealing that Szczesny and Koscielny were "destroyed" by their howler.
"I'm bitterly disappointed, like the whole team," a shattered Wenger said, declining to criticise Szczesny and Koscielny. "Both of them are destroyed. I don't think it's a good moment for me to add to that."
Birmingham had taken the lead in the 28th minute, when a rare foray into Arsenal territory resulted in a corner met by defender Roger Johnson.
The centre-half's header found striker Nikola Zigic on the edge of the six-yard box and the tall Serbian striker easily outjumped his marker to guide a back-header into the Arsenal net.

Arsenal might have equalised immediately when a Bacary Sagna cross from the right flank was met by Robin van Persie, but the Dutchman's diving header flew just wide of the top corner.

Zigic should have put Birmingham two goals up when he again found himself clear on goal, only for Szczesny to pull off a point-blank block with his legs.

And on 39 minutes Birmingham were made to pay for their profligacy when Arsenal grabbed an equaliser.

A thunderous shot from the edge of the area by Jack Wilshere cannoned back off the crossbar, and when Birmingham failed to clear, Andrey Arshavin jinked down the right flank and whipped in a low cross for van Persie, who twisted his body into position superbly to volley home.

Until the exchange of goals, the biggest talking point had arrived after only two minutes when Birmingham were denied a penalty which should also have seen Szczesny sent off.

A deft pass from Zigic sent Lee Bowyer racing through on goal and the midfielder rounded Szczesny only to be brought crashing down by the keeper.

But instead of a red card and a spot-kick, Arsenal were given a huge let off when Bowyer was ruled offside. Replays subsequently showed Sagna had been playing Bowyer yards onside.

Arsenal began the second half brightly, and carved out an early chance when Sagna's low cross was met by Tomas Rosicky, only for the Czech international to sweep his shot just wide.

Birmingham refused to be cowed however, and the introduction of Jean Beausejour for Craig Gardner gave their attack a fresh outlet.

Beausejour was involved in the build-up on 57 minutes when Keith Fahey lashed a shot against the foot of the post with Szczesny well beaten.

With extra-time looming, Arsenal stepped up the pace and tested Foster twice in quick succession.

First Nasri forced a fine save out of the England international and then Nicklas Bendtner, who had come on for van Persie, rifled a low shot that the Birmingham keeper did well to smother.

Foster was again pressed into action on 80 minutes, Nasri once more whipping in a curling shot from near the edge of the away that was beaten away.

But just as Arsenal turned the screw, Birmingham struck the killer blow. A long goalkick by Foster was met by Zigic and when Koscielny and Szczesny bungled the clearance, Martins was on hand to jab home.

Hammers end Dalglish's unbeaten run

West Ham United's Mark Noble (R) tackles Liverpool's Brazilian player Lucas Leiva during their Premier League football match at Upton Park in London. West Ham won 3-1.

Liverpool's unbeaten run of eight matches under Kenny Dalglish came to an end on Sunday as West Ham earned a deserved 3-1 victory over them to move off the bottom of the Premier League table.
Goals by inspirational captain Scott Parker, recent signing Demba Ba and a reinvigorated Carlton Cole were more than enough to see off a Liverpool side whose only response was a late effort by Glen Johnson.
Parker's effort was even more remarkable given that a training ground accident on Saturday had left him highly doubtful to play as he fell on his shoulder and couldn't even walk.
"Scott is a special guy. The spirit he showed was great," said appreciative Hammers manager Avram Grant.
"Three hours before the game, we thought there was no way he would play.
"It was a bad, bad injury. He couldn't walk or move his arms.
"The medical department were sure he couldn't play, but they did a good job and gave him 24 hours of treatment.
"He needed more than an injection, but the medical department did brilliantly with him.
"He's the type of player I like: he always gives 100percent, is always positive.
"I like some of the things from old-fashioned play. That's what they did in the olden days. They gave everything."
Parker - whose rousing half-time talk a fortnight ago had been credited for inspiring the Hammers to come back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 with fellow relegation strugglers West Brom - struck just after the 20 minute mark with a nice effort.

Liverpool's manager Kenny Dalglish awaits kick off against West Ham United during a Premier League football match at Upton Park in London. West Ham won 3-1.

Ba - who scored a brace in the West Brom match - then added to the hosts' lead with a fine header from Gary O'Neil's cross.
The Hammers dominated much of the match as the midfield axis of Parker and German international midfielder Thomas Hitzlsperger - who only made his debut for them last Monday after being out injured since signing last June - ran affairs and gives real hope they can escape the drop should both stay fit.
Liverpool reduced the deficit when Johnson tapped in with six minutes remaining but Cole assuaged any home fans' fears of a comeback by the visitors as he restored the two goal advantage shortly afterwards and record only their sixth league win of the campaign.
The win will have given some pleasure to co-owner David Gold, who was unable to be at the match as the 74-year-old is in hospital being treated for septicaemia and an inflamed bile duct.
"I want to wish him all the best and to get well. He's a good guy, and I'm sure he enjoyed the game today," said Grant.
Grant, who experienced a topsy turvy season last year with Portsmouth reaching the FA Cup final but being relegated amid a financial crisis, said that the race for survival was the most open he had ever experienced.
"We are coming now to the last 10 games of the season.
"I don't remember a situation where the team who are bottom could still end up 10th. It's so tight."
Dalglish accepted that his side had not been the better side.
"We never passed it as well as we can or took the opportunities that came our way," said the 60-year-old Scot, whose side in mitigation had played on Thursday seeing off Sparta Prague in the Europa League.
"The last 20 or 25 minutes, we started to play a wee bit like we can. We got the goal near the end and we thought we might steal a point.
"There were a couple of shouts for a penalty, things that are outside our control that you can't manage, but we'll try to correct the mistakes we made."

United survive scares to rout Wigan

Manchester United's Mexican striker Javier Hernandez celebrates scoring the opening goal, leaving Wigan's Omani goalkeeper Ali Al Habsi on his knees during the English Premier League football match between Wigan Athletic and Manchester United at The DW Stadium, Wigan. United won 4-0.

Edwin van der Sar was Manchester United's hero as Sir Alex Ferguson's side opened up a four-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a 4-0 win at Wigan on Saturday.
Mexican international Javier Hernandez's eighth and ninth league goals in the 17th minute and 74th minutes helped United to a 13th successive win over Wigan, while Wayne Rooney and Fabio Da Silva were also on the scoresheet.
But it was 40-year-old Van der Sar's heroics between the posts which sent United clear of nearest rivals Arsenal with 11 games remaining.
The former Netherlands goalkeeper marked his 250th United appearance by making a string of spectacular saves, with Victor Moses, Ben Watson and Maynor Figueroa all frustrated before Rooney sealed the win with United's third goal.
Wigan had lost all their previous 12 encounters with United, conceding 37 times in the process. But they went into this game unbeaten in the previous three league outings including a morale-boosting 1-1 draw at Liverpool.
After criticism about the playing surface from their own manager Roberto Martinez, Wigan had relaid the pitch ahead of United's visit.
And it did not take long for the lowly hosts to adapt to the new surface.
During a bright start by Wigan, Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega saw his fifth minute snap shot fly over the bar.
Then England under-21 winger Moses used his pace to get behind the United defence and deliver a low centre across the six-yard area. Unfortunately for Wigan, there was no blue shirt to turn it over the line.
But after soaking up the home side's early pressure, United took control through Hernandez soon after Van der Sar had produced an excellent save to deny the busy Moses.
Once again Nani produced the assist, the Portuguese winger charging down the left before producing a cross for Hernandez, who had shrugged off his marker, to steer home from five-yards in the 17th minute.
Hernandez was only starting after Ferguson had opted to leave the Premier League's leading goalscorer Dimitar Berbatov on the bench ahead of next Tuesday's game at reigning champions Chelsea.
Yet Wigan ought to have equalised moments later when Watson found himself in space but the midfielder's close range effort was brilliantly kept out by Van der Sar.
This is the start of a pivotal period for United, with five league and cup games in the space of 17 days likely to shape their season.
And although they survived a couple of early scares, Ferguson's side should have made sure of the points before half time.
A fluid move involving Paul Scholes ended with Nani's shot rebounding off the inside of the post with keeper Ali Al Habsi beaten on the half hour mark.
But it required another fabulous stop by man-of-the-match Van der Sar to deny Figueroa a rare goal on the Honduras international's 100th Premier League appearance.
Figueroa let fly from 30-yards in the 48th minute, his ferocious effort heading for the net before Van der Sar scrambled to keep it out.
United finished strongly with Nani squandering a hat-trick of opportunities before Hernandez put the game out of sight 16 minutes from time with a composed finish after being sent clear by Rooney, who made it 3-0 from close range six minutes from time.
Wigan will feel hard done by the scoreline after substitute Fabio made it 4-0 three minutes from time.

Barca stretch La Liga lead to seven points as Real held

Barcelona's Argentinian forward Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring against Mallorca during their Spanish League football match at Iberostar Stadium in Palma de Mallorca. Barca won 3-0.

Barcelona moved seven points clear in La Liga after Real Madrid showed plenty of effort but insufficient invention as they drew 0-0 against a well-organised Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
After Barcelona's 3-0 win over Mallorca earlier, the pressure was on Real who went into the late game in confident mood after three consecutive wins.
From the start though it was evident that it would be a tough task as Deportivo defended deeply and appeared to be battling for their lives. Cristiano Ronaldo was a constant threat but most of Real's shots came from distance.
Their best openings came in a grandstand finish when first substitute Emmanuel Adebayor and then Ronaldo hit the post but they were unable to find the all important goal.
Barcelona had shrugged off claims that they were starting to feel the strain as a makeshift team overcame Mallorca.
Bar�a had not been at their best as they lost to Arsenal in the Champions League and then struggled to beat Athletic Bilbao. Injuries to Xavi Hernandez, Carles Puyol and Victor Valdes suggested that the exertion was starting to take its toll.
With Dani Alves also suspended it was an unfamiliar looking Bar�a side but after Messi opened the scoring with a header following hesitation in the penalty area, they never looked back.
David Villa may have been narrowly offside as he raced clear of the defence to increase the lead and then Pedro Rodriguez completed the scoring.
After the game coach Pep Guardiola admitted that they were finding it difficult to break down Mallorca until the first goal.
"It is not easy to come in if you don't play every week but if you have the personality of Seydou (Keita) then it is a lot simpler. He along with Andres (Iniesta) were vital to us in the first half and I will remember this match as the toughest for us to score," he said.
"After a long week we didn't have much rhythm but the first goal helped us a lot and we suffered less. The 3-0 result was very good against a side which has conceded few goals at home."
An impressive second half display by Espanyol helped them to a 4-1 win over Real Sociedad and put their European hopes back on track.

Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo (L) heads the ball with Deportivo de la Coruna's Argentinian defender Diego Colotto (R) during the Spanish league football match RC Deportivo de La Coruna vs Real Madrid at Municipal de Riazor Stadium in Coruna. The match ended in a 0-0 draw.

All the talk before the game was about the return of Sociedad's Raul Tamudo to his former club where he is the all-time highest goal scorer, but he failed to find a way passed an impressive Carlos Kameni in the Espanyol goal.
Against the run of play, Daniel Estrada put the ball into his own net but he made amends two minutes later to bring Sociedad level.
Espanyol, who had lost their last four games, were much improved after the interval with Sergio Garcia's clinical finish followed by goals from Jose Callejon and Javi Marquez.
Atletico Madrid twice came from behind to earn a 2-2 draw with Sevilla.
In a match between two sides that have struggled for consistency, Alvaro Negredo gave Sevilla the lead but Jorge Koke headed Atletico level immediately after the restart. Ivan Rakitic restored the Andalusian side's advantage before Jose Antonio Reyes earnt Atletico a point.
Sporting Gijon's relegation clash with Zaragoza ended in a 0-0 stalemate as neither side showed sufficient courage to commit players in attack.
Valencia have taken advantage of a slump in form from Villarreal to move into third place but tomorrow they face a tough match away to Athletic Bilbao who have a strong home record.
Villarreal travel to Racing Santander having picked up just one point from three games as their extra commitments in the Europa League appear to be taking their toll.

Young double inspires Villa to thrash Rovers

Aston Villa's English midfielder Ashley Young celebrates scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Aston Villa and Blackburn Rovers at Villa Park in Birmingham. Young gave a masterclass in front of Fabio Capello as the Aston Villa star's double-strike helped seal a 4-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.

Ashley Young gave a masterclass in front of Fabio Capello as the Aston Villa star's double-strike helped seal a 4-1 victory over Blackburn on Saturday.
Young has been in fine form since the turn of the year, revelling in his new role as a withdrawn striker behind £24m signing Darren Bent and he was simply too much for Blackburn to handle in front of England coach Capello at Villa Park.
Young won and converted a penalty and added Villa's final goal of an emphatic victory, as well as playing a part in Stewart Downing's goal as Steve Kean's side slipped closer to the relegation struggle with their third defeat in four games.
Three goals in 16 minutes destroyed Blackburn as Villa finally moved clear of the relegation zone.
Gerard Houllier is keen to promote a policy of rotation but his decision to leave club captain Stiliyan Petrov on the substitutes bench, in favour of 37-year-old Robert Pires, raises serious doubts over the long-term future of the Bulgarian just days after the Villa manager told him he was no longer assured a regular place in the team.
Villa were on top from the start even without Petrov as Young and Bent combined for the former Sunderland striker to force Paul Robinson into a full length save.
Former England goalkeeper Robinson kept Villa at bay as a drab first half burst into life in the final ten minutes.
Robinson's strong wrists enabled him to push away two long range shots from Kyle Walker and Pires and it was the Blackburn keepers strong punch into the back of Nathan Baker's head, as the pair contested Downing's free-kick, which forced the young Villa left-back from the field with concussion.
Robinson also reacted instantly to push away the loose ball, after he failed to hold Pires's shot, before Bent could pounce on the rebound.
Bent wasted another chance in stoppage time, failing to react quickly enough after Morten Gamst Pedersen's wayward back pass, and it was no surprise it took a penalty to defeat the former England goalkeeper.
Keith Andrews was guilty of over-elaborating on the edge of his own area and was dispossessed by Young and in his eagerness to atone for the mistake brought down the midfielder, who converted the 49th minute spot-kick.
Young's pass released Downing for Villa's third goal and sandwiched in between was an unfortunate own goal by young central defender Grant Hanley, following Marc Albrighton's cross.
Nikola Kalinic reduced the arrears when his long-range shot looped off Richard Dunne and over Brad Friedel in the 81st minute, but Young restored the three-goal advantage when he swept in Downing's cross one minute later.
Rovers' miserable day was completed when Ryan Nelsen was shown a straight red card by referee Martin Atkinson for bringing down Young as he went in search of his hat-trick in stoppage time.

Wenger backs Arsenal to cope without injured stars

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can cope without Cesc Fabregas, seen here in 2010, and Theo Walcott when the injury-hit Gunners face Birmingham in the League Cup final.

Arsene Wenger insists Arsenal can cope without Cesc Fabregas and Theo Walcott when the injury-hit Gunners face Birmingham in the League Cup final on Sunday.
Wenger's side go into the first major showpiece of the season at Wembley rocked by a double injury blow that leaves them without Spain midfielder Fabregas and England winger Walcott.
Scans on the hamstring strain Fabregas suffered against Stoke in mid-week showed that the problem is not too serious, but Wenger is not prepared to risk his captain aggravating the problem.
Walcott, stretchered off with an ankle injury in the Stoke game, will be sidelined for up to three weeks.
Both stars have played key roles in Arsenal's impressive run of one defeat in their last 17 matches in all competitions, but Wenger is convinced his team will be able to adapt in their absence.
"Fabregas won't play because he is injured and you cannot play football when you are injured," Wenger told reporters on Friday.
"He is sad and disappointed of course but it could have been worse. The injury is a very small one. He will be out for one or two games maybe.
"Walcott will be out for two to three weeks with an ankle problem. I would say today it is very unlikely he will be fit for the second leg of the Barcelona game.
"Ideally you want everyone fit but we can deal with the fact that Cesc will not be there, the fact Walcott will not be there and of course (centre-back Thomas) Vermaelen will not be there.
"If you look at the number of quality players we have available, we can deal with that.
"We have so many targets in front of us. What I believe is important now is that the team focuses on the game we play on Sunday.
"We have shown we can cope with injuries over the last three months. We have the belief, confidence and determination to get over the last hurdle in the League Cup."
There was one piece of good news for Wenger on the injury front as in-form Dutch forwrd Robin van Persie, who missed the Stoke match with a hamstring strain, will return to captain the team.
Regardless of who features in Wenger's team, the Arsenal boss knows his side are expected to end their six-year wait to win a major trophy.
The Gunners, who last lifted silverware in 2005 after a penalty shoot-out win over Manchester United in the FA Cup final, are starting to reap the rewards of Wenger's faith in his young players.
The likes of van Persie, Jack Wilshere, Gael Clichy, Johan Djourou and Alex Song have grown up together after joining the club as youngsters and Wenger believes that special bond is a big asset.
"It is a young but hungry team. They are focused and respectful. There is a common understanding," Wenger said.
"The two main characteristics are they have a great bond and focus. It is a pleasure to work with them.
"They have all been educated together and they have the advantage of growing up together."
In the past Wenger has used the League Cup as a training ground for his young players, but success in a competition he has often derided could prove the catalyst for the team to finally fulfil their potential.
The Gunners hold a 2-1 lead against Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League, trail Premier League leaders Manchester United by just one point and are still in the FA Cup.
Wenger admits the challenge for more significant prizes would be enhanced by beating Birmingham.
"It is not important what happened in the last five years -- it is what happens now," Wenger said.
"There is a good feeling in the camp of course because we are on a very strong run and a win can help us have more confidence for the other trophies we go for.
"You gain belief with results. When you are young, you don't know how good you are. You make mistakes and improve."

Diego brace fires up Wolfsburg

Wolfsburg's Brazilian midfielder Diego shoots during the German first division bundesliga football match Wolfsburg vs Hannover in the northern German city of Wolfsburg 2010. Diego helped Wolfsburg push themselves further from the Bundesliga's drop zone after a valuable 2-1 win over struggling Moenchengladbach on Friday.

A brace from Brazilian midfielder Diego helped Wolfsburg push themselves further from the Bundesliga's drop zone after a valuable 2-1 win over struggling Moenchengladbach on Friday.
Playmaker Diego marked his return to the German top flight, after a mediocre season with Juventus in Italy, with two goals late in the first half at the Volkswagen-Arena to end Wolfsburg's run of four consecutive defeats.
Diego, who was suspended for a match earlier this month for disobeying teams orders and taking a penalty, which he missed, once again prompted the ire of the home fans when he missed a penalty in the 24th minute.
The Brazlian, however, made amends by opening the scoring in the 37th minute and then gave the hosts a comfortable interval with his second from a superb free-kick in first half injury time.
Moenchengladbach pulled a consolation goal back through defender Filip Daems in the 74th minute, however their 15th defeat in 24 games left them rooted firmly at the bottom of the table.
Wolfsburg's sixth win of the season, and first at home since October, moved them up to 13th, 29 points behind runaway league leaders Borussia Dortmund.

Bruce signs new Sunderland deal

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, seen here in 2010, signed a new contract on Friday committing him to the Premier League side until 2014.

Sunderland manager Steve Bruce signed a new contract on Friday committing him to the Premier League side until 2014.
Bruce, 50, who joined the Black Cats in 2009, has guided the club into seventh with a top ten finish within reach for the first time in a decade.
Bruce said: "I'm delighted to have signed a new contract. It's a magnificent club from top to bottom with wonderful support and everything is in place here for a manager.
"We have the makings of a fantastic young team.
"It's been a great challenge so far and one that my backroom team and I have relished, so we are looking forward to continuing with that over the next few years."
Chairman Niall Quinn, who along with owner Ellis Short has provided Bruce with the financial backing to rebuild the squad, was delighted to have reached an agreement.
He said: "It was hugely important to bring stability to this football club and I firmly believe that in Steve we have the man to do just that.
"In only 18 months he has reshaped our squad beyond recognition, bringing in some fantastically talented players, many of whom are young and desperate to achieve and improve.
"He embodies the ethos of team-work and the importance of camaraderie in creating a wonderful spirit of togetherness amongst the players and staff.
"As someone born and bred in the north east he fully understands the unique passion for football in this region.
"He has already raised the aspirations of not only the players, but also the supporters, and instilled a belief in everyone that we can go on to achieve the sustained success that we all crave for this club."

Liverpool, Rangers edge their way into Europa last 16

Liverpool's matchwinner Dirk Kuyt acknowledges the Liverpool fans after the game against Sparta Prague after the second leg of the Europa League, round of 32 at Anfield Stadium, Liverpool. Liverpool won 1-0.

An 86th-minute header from Dirk Kuyt earned Liverpool a narrow 1-0 win over Sparta Prague on Thursday, on a night when all three British clubs in action reached the last 16.
Rangers, beaten finalists in 2008, needed an equaliser at the death to prevail at Sporting Lisbon, while Manchester City's expensively assembled squad eased past Greek representatives Aris.
Liverpool enjoyed the lion's share of possession against the Czech side but, as in the first leg, they struggled to make their dominance count.
Raul Meireles blazed over wastefully from an inviting Martin Kelly cross in the first half, while French striker David Ngog was one of several Liverpool players frustrated by Sparta goalkeeper Jaromir Blazek in the second.
With extra-time beckoning, Liverpool won a corner on the left-hand side that Meireles curled into the box and Kuyt darted away from the goal-line to cushion an intelligent header into the bottom-right corner.
"It was a difficult game. We knew from the first game that they are a strong, physical side," said Liverpool coach Kenny Dalglish, after his first ever European game at Anfield as Reds manager.
"I think the boys deserve great credit for their determination and effort in getting a result. It was superb the way they took pride in themselves and the club."
Liverpool will now play Portugal's Sporting Braga, who overcame a 1-0 first-leg deficit with a 2-0 win at home to Lech Poznan of Poland.
A dramatic injury-time goal by American international midfielder Maurice Edu earned Rangers a 2-2 draw at Sporting Lisbon that sent the Scottish giants through on away goals.
After former Rangers man Pedro Mendes had cancelled out El Hadji Diouf's opener for the visitors, an 83rd-minute header by Yannick Djalo looked to have given the Portuguese team victory.
Rangers launched a desperate last attack in the 92nd minute, however, and when David Healy rolled in a low cross from the Rangers right, Edu tapped home to send the travelling fans beserk.
"We came here intent on advancing and made life a bit difficult for ourselves but we found a way to pull ourselves through in the end," Edu told the Rangers website.
The next stop for Walter Smith's side will be PSV Eindhoven, who won 3-1 at home to French league leaders Lille for a 5-3 aggregate success.

Manchester City's Italian forward Mario Balotelli (R) vies with Aris Salonika's Ronaldo Guiaro during their UEFA Europa Cup round of 32 football match between Manchester City and Aris Salonika at the City of Manchester Stadium in Manchester. City won 3-0.

Following a goalless first leg, City beat Aris 3-0 at the City of Manchester Stadium thanks to a first-half brace from January signing Edin Dzeko and a deflected Yaya Toure effort.
Roberto Mancini's men must now tackle Dynamo Kiev, after the Ukrainian powerhouses thrashed Besiktas 4-0 to seal an embarrassingly one-sided 8-1 overall victory.
Elsewhere, Villarreal came from behind to defeat Napoli 2-1 in the tie of the round at El Madrigal.
Marek Hamsik broke the deadlock in the tie in the 18th minute before quick-fire goals from strikers Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi just before half-time saw the Spanish side through.
Villarreal's last-16 adversaries are Bayer Leverkusen, for whom Michael Ballack scored his first goal since his return from injury in a 2-0 win at home to Metalist Kharkiv that completed a 6-0 aggregate victory.
Two-time European champions Benfica advanced with a 2-0 aggregate defeat of Stuttgart and will now face Paris Saint-Germain, who went through on away goals following a 0-0 draw at home to BATE Borisov.
In the day's early kick-off, 2008 champions Zenit Saint-Petersburg secured their place in the last 16 by coming from behind to defeat Swiss side Young Boys 3-1, thereby overturning a 2-1 deficit from the away leg.
Porto, champions in 2003, progressed on away goals on Wednesday despite a 1-0 loss at home to Sevilla, while CSKA Moscow secured a 2-1 aggregate win over Greek outfit PAOK on Tuesday.

I would have killed for Mourinho, says Ibrahimovic

AC Milan's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic, seen here hugging teammates, has admitted that he would have been prepared to kill for former boss Jose Mourinho, with whom he spent a season at Inter Milan.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he would have been prepared to kill for former boss Jose Mourinho, with whom he spent a season at Inter Milan.
Both have since moved on with the big Sweden forward now knocking in the goals for Inter's cross city rivals AC Milan and the Portuguese coach plotting the Real Madrid resurrection.
But in one season together, Ibrahimovic finished top scorer in Serie A as Inter won what was then a fourth straight Serie A crown.
Mourinho stayed one more year in Milan but Ibrahimovic moved on to Barcelona, where he spent only a year before heading to the rossoneri.
"Given the motivation and stimulation he gave me, I would have killed for Mourinho," said the martial arts black belt, who aimed a dig at Barcelona for not having faith in him.
"In the first six months everything was exceptional, everything was going very well but then something happened, even though I still don't know what.
"I'm still waiting for an answer but after the first two months of 2010 (Barca coach Pep Guardiola) stopped talking to me.
"If you don't have someone who motivates you then you're not prepared to fight and that's why you have coaches.
"With the other one (Guardiola) the football was there but a coach needs to adapt his football to the players he has, especially if you've just spent 70 million euros on one.
"And if you've bought him you haven't bought him to leave him to look at the birds in the trees."
Guardiola spent 50 million euros on Ibrahimovic with Samuel Eto'o -- whose value was put at anything upwards of 20 million euros -- heading in the other direction.
But while the Cameroon captain has been a major success at Inter, Ibrahimovic's Barca dream soon turned sour.
And although he won three Serie A titles with Inter, Ibrahimovic insists that Milan are the biggest club in the city.
"I can't say anything bad about Inter because I had some fantastic times there but I think historically Milan are the bigger club," he said.
"When I arrived here I was presented with a project that revolves around me and I was promised many things that we're working on.
"It's a project that's developping and I think next year will be the right one to fight on all fronts."
Having graced the shirts of Barca, the two Milan clubs, Juventus and Ajax, Ibrahimovic has played with and against almost all the best players of his generation.
And he has no doubt as to who the best was: the recently retired Ronaldo.
"There's not been anyone better than him in the last 15-20 years," he said.
"If you look back I can't think of any other players of his and (Zinedine) Zidane's level.
"For me it was enough just to be on the same pitch as him. I've played against many other phenomenal players but there was only one Ronaldo.
"Like (Diego) Maradona said, there are many kings but there's only one God, and that also goes for Ronaldo."

Borghi named new Chile coach

Newly appointed Chile's football team head coach Claudio Borghi of Argentina addresses the Professional Football National Association (ANFP) in Santiago.

Argentine Claudio Borghi was on Thursday unveiled as the successor to his compatriot, Marcelo Bielsa, as the coach of the Chilean national team.
"It's an honour to be here," said Borghi, 46, during a press conference at the headquarters of the Chilean Football Federation (ANFP).
"To be named coach of the national team after so many years in Chile, practically 20 years... is a source of real pride."
Borghi was symbolically handed the Chile shirt by ANFP president Sergio Jadue and his brief is to oversee a successful Copa America in his homeland later this year and secure qualification for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
A World Cup-winner as a player with Argentina in 1986, Borghi won four league titles as coach of Chilean giants Colo Colo and also won the 2010 Argentine Clausura championship with his last club, Argentinos Juniors.
Bielsa resigned earlier this month over a disagreement with Jadue, who took over from Ernesto Corona at the turn of the year.
Last year, Bielsa led Chile to the last 16 at the World Cup in South Africa, where they were defeated by Brazil, on what was their first appearance at the finals since 1998.

Marseille, United in Champions League goalless draw

Manchester United's striker Wayne Rooney (C) controls the ball in front of Olympique Marseille's Senegalese defenders Leyti N'Diaye (L) and Souleymane Diawara (R) during the Champions League football match Olympique de Marseille versus Manchester United at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France. The match ended 0-0.

Manchester United and Marseille shared the spoils, but no goals, as the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie ended in a drab and forgettable 0-0 draw here on Wednesday.

With Marseille fearful of conceding an away goal and United rusty in attack the game was reduced to a war of attrition in which ponderous passing and stout defending were the order of the day.

The game's best chance saw Darren Fletcher draw a smart save from Marseille goalkeeper Steve Mandanda with a low drive and it was one of few highlights on a night when the teams succeeded only in cancelling each other out.

In the absence of a knockout blow in the first leg, a goal for Marseille in the return match on March 15 will put them in a commanding position to reach the last eight for the first time since they won the tournament in 1993.

United manager Sir Alex Ferguson conceded that the result left the outcome delicately balanced, but he took solace from the fact his side still have their fate in their own hands.

"This sort of result can be dangerous if you concede a goal at home," said the 69-year-old Scot. "But it's simple because if we win, we go through.

"It was a disappointing game but they (Marseille) were desperate not to concede a goal.

"But I also expected more of us offensively, as we didn't make the most of our chances when we got into good positions."

Marseille coach Didier Deschamps was delighted that his team had delivered on his wish not to concede an away goal.

"I am very happy with my players because they have done their best tonight as Manchester United showed what a good team they are," said Deschamps, who captained Marseille to the 1993 trophy.

Olympique Marseille's goalkeeper Steve Mandanda (R) grabs the ball in front of Manchester United's striker Wayne Rooney (C) during their UEFA Champions League football match Marseille vs Manchester at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France. The match ended 0-0.

"Maybe we will have an opportunity to score in the second leg. It is not a bad result for us but it is a good one for United," he added.

Deschamps's side started the game in cautious fashion, allowing United to take the initiative.

The visitors appeared keen to test former United player Gabriel Heinze's ageing legs in the Marseille left-back position and Nani was regularly sought out with searching passes into the space behind the Argentine.

Fletcher's chance arrived in the eighth minute as he tested Mandanda with a skidding effort from the edge of the box, while Souleymane Diawara showed alertness to block from Wayne Rooney.

The good positions that Marseille did manage to adopt were squandered due to a reluctance to shoot at goal, testament perhaps to the absence through injury of in-form striker Andre-Pierre Gignac.

A miscued overhead kick by Brandao was all they could muster in the first 45 minutes, while United's own momentum faded after a bright start.

The hosts enjoyed a more promising spell early in the second period, with Edwin van der Sar called into action by a Brandao header before Andre Ayew thrashed a half-volley across goal and wide from the left-hand side.

The hosts' flurry of attacking endeavour roused the notoriously demanding Stade Velodrome crowd but United -- who conceded just one goal in the group phase -- defended calmly and were not unduly troubled.

A moment of inattention from Rod Fanni gave Dimitar Berbatov a sight of goal at the other end but Diawara intervened smartly to get in the way of the Bulgarian's shot.

Deschamps introduced Mathieu Valbuena, freshly recovered from a knee injury, with 11 minutes to play but the France winger's first touch spoke of weeks on the sidelines as he tamely let the ball roll out of play.

Mandanda saved at Nani's feet to keep the Premier League leaders at bay before the fans' patience was finally rewarded by the final whistle.

Bayern beat Inter Milan in Champions League

Bayern Munich's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger (L) fights for the ball with Inter Milan's Brazilian midfielder Thiago Motta during their Champions League football match at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Bayern won 1-0.

Mario Gomez scored a last minute winner to put Bayern Munich firmly in control of their last 16 Champions League tie against Inter Milan on Wednesday.

The Germans' 1-0 success meant that all three remaining Italian teams in the competition lost their second round home legs and all face the prospect of crashing out at this stage with tougher away games still to come.

For Bayern it also went some way to exacting revenge for their Champions League final defeat to Inter in Madrid back in May.

Gomez said his goal was rich reward for Bayern's positive approach to the game.

"That was certainly my most important goal in the Champions League," he said.

"When you score a goal just before the end, which seals an away win, that is, of course, very nice.

"We fought for everything, everything at the back, everything up front and we were rewarded at the end."

Inter coach Leonardo said that despite the defeat his side are still in a good position to progress.

"Of course it's a bad defeat but the only thing that changes is your mood, it doesn't change the game in Munich where we'll go and try to win," he said.

"Nothing is compromised. It's hard to lose in the last minute but we played well."

Bayern almost handed Inter a dream start with some shocking defending in the second minute as Andrea Ranocchia was left alone eight yards out to meet a Wesley Sneijder free-kick but he flicked it wide.

Inter Milan's Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o (R) fights for the ball with Bayern Munich's defender Philipp Lahm during their Champions League football match at San Siro Stadium in Milan. Bayern won 1-0.

The Germans had two quick chances but Lucio blocked a Franck Ribery shot and centre-back partner Ranocchia got in the way of a Thomas Mueller effort.

With the Inter defence backing off Luiz Gustavo tried his luck from 25 yards but it flashed just wide.

And moments later he had a crack from 30 yards that took a wicked deflection and almost looped into the top corner.

It wasn't all Bayern as brilliant work from Samuel Eto'o down the right saw him beat Holger Badstuber and feed the ball inside to Esteban Cambiasso six yards out but Thomas Kraft got out well to block his hurried shot.

Eto'o was skinning Badstuber every time and Bayern coach Louis van Gaal acted in the first half, bringing on Brazilian Breno to marshall the speedy Cameroon captain.

Bayern came closest to a first-half goal when an inviting inswinging cross from Arjen Robben on 24 minutes found Ribery stealing across his marker to flick a header onto the bar.

Another great move from Bayern saw Robben slip the ball between two defenders for captain Philipp Lahm, whose cross picked out Gomez but he spooned his effort into the night sky.

On 33 minutes a snap-shot on the turn from Eto'o forced Kraft into a diving one-handed save.

Robben created the chance of the match for Mueller two minutes after the restart but from inside the six yard box the young German somehow flicked his header wide of the far post.

And then on a lightning counter after Inter gave the ball away in midfield, Robben ran across the defence and hit the outside of the post with a right-footed effort.

Bayern were next to give the ball away in a perilous position and after Kraft saved from Eto'o, Cambiasso blazed the follow-up over the bar.

Robben also sent a rasping effort over the bar up the other end while Mueller almost found Gomez with a chip over the top.

With 10 minutes left Inter had a sniff of goal but Kraft stood up to Houssine Kharja's cross-shot while a deflected Sneijder free-kick then landed on the roof of the net.

From the resultant corner Thiago Motta headed straight at Kraft from eight yards and an Eto'o shot was also deflected wide as the hosts suddenly started to push for a winner.

But then in the last minute Julio Cesar, who hadn't made a save of note all night, failed to hold a skimming drive from Robben and Gomez tapped home the rebound.

Anfield advantage to lift Liverpool in Europa League

Liverpool host Sparta Prague at Anfield in the Europa League quarter finals on Thursday with Danish international Daniel Agger (pictured, left) predicting a more attacking display after his side's drab 0-0 draw in the round of 32 first leg in Prague last week.

Liverpool and Manchester City are counting on the comforts of home to secure their passage into the Europa League quarter finals on Thursday.
Liverpool host Sparta Prague at Anfield with Danish international Daniel Agger predicting a more attacking display after his side's drab 0-0 draw in the round of 32 first leg in Prague last week.
City's tie with Aris Salonika is identically poised ahead of the Greek outfit's visit to Eastlands, with Roberto Mancini's men approaching the game in high spirits after their 5-0 FA Cup drubbing of Notts County.
Elsewhere Serie A highflyers Napoli travel to Villarreal after another goalless stalemate in the first leg, while former European kings Ajax are in the driving seat for their trip to Anderlecht after winning last week's first bout 3-0.
Agger believes home advantage can see Liverpool through to a last 16 match-up with either Portugal's Sporting Braga or Lech Poznan of Poland.
"We will approach Thursday like we do every home game," he told liverpoolfc.tv.
"Try to get forward and keep the ball, playing attacking football, and at Anfield if we play well, it will be difficult for every team.
"So we've got a good chance, but it's not easy, it's never easy in the knockout stages."
Agger is well aware of the power of Anfield having scored in Liverpool's semi-final at the stadium against Chelsea to help the Reds on their way to a penalty shoot-out win and a date with AC Milan in the 2007 Champions League final,
"It was so important, we lost 1-0 away, but we knew we had a good chance back at Anfield," Agger recalled.
"The fans and the crowd in the home tie was unbelievable."
The Danish defender believes the arrival of Kenny Dalglish as Roy Hodgson's successor has been the making of a team that has conceded just once in their last six outings under the Liverpool legend.
"You have to look at the team which is exactly the same (as under Hodgson). Kenny came in with new ideas, and they made us really happy about playing football.
"That has been the main reason why we've improved defensively because we're keeping the ball going forward."
Napoli's former Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena in contrast believes Villarreal could come unstuck by playing at home.
"Villarreal will have to leave themselves a little more exposed compared to in Naples," he told uefa.com.
"We know our strengths, so we will try to use them by scoring, and the fact that away goals count double could work in our favour. It's a great advantage for us that we didn't concede at home."
Villarreal's Joan Capdevila warned Napoli to expect a tough night at the Stadio San Paolo.
"We weren't really happy with the result because 0-0 away from home is not ideal in Europe," the Spanish World Cup winner said.
"If they score in the return, we could get knocked out, so we'd much rather have come away from the first leg with an away goal. The second leg will be very different at El Madrigal, though.
"You'll see a much more attacking Villarreal and I think it'll be a very open game, with lots of goalscoring chances."
In Glasgow, last year's finalists Rangers greet Sporting Lisbon with the disadvantage of having conceded a late away goal in last week's 1-1 draw.
Rangers captain David Weir commented: "To lose a goal as late as we did after managing to get in front and improving as the game went on, obviously the overall feeling is disappointment.
"I'm sure they will feel they have the upper hand now but I still think we have every chance in the tie."
In Holland Eindhoven mayor Rob Gijzel has taken "emergency" measures for the visit of French side Lille at PSV after violent clashes between fans and police last week in France before the 2-2 draw.

Puel hopeful despite away goal disappointment

Lyon coach Claude Puel (pictured) believes his side can still reach the Champions League quarter-finals despite having conceded an away goal to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 tie.

Lyon coach Claude Puel believes his side can still reach the Champions League quarter-finals despite having conceded an away goal to Real Madrid in the first leg of their last 16 tie.
Lyon old boy Karim Benzema came back to haunt his former employers by scoring the opening goal in Tuesday night's match at Stade Gerland, before Bafetimbi Gomis atoned for a shocking first-half miss with an 83rd-minute equaliser.
With an away goal to their name, Real are now favourites to go through ahead of the return leg in Madrid, which would bring an end to a six-year run of consecutive last-16 exits for the nine-time European champions.
Lyon were left to rue their failure to capitalise on a dominant first-half showing on home turf but Puel said they were still optimistic ahead of the trip to the Bernabeu on March 16.
"We produced a very encouraging performance from a collective and defensive perspective but we also knew how to create opportunities and we weren't far away from taking them," he said.
"It therefore gives us enough confidence ahead of the return leg as anything will be possible there, even though a 1-1 draw is always annoying because of the away goal scored by your opponents."
Lyon are bidding to oust Real in the last 16 for the second season running, having prevailed 2-1 on aggregate in last season's competition.
Puel refused to speculate on where the balance of power lay in the tie after the first leg but did express hope that his team would be able to repeat their exploits of 2010.
"... (I)t gives us a chance, given the individuals we have and the reaction we showed against Real," said Puel, who led Lyon to the semi-finals for the first time in their history last season.
"It's up to us to seize these opportunities because we're not just here to play Real but to beat them."
Puel's words were echoed by Gomis, who also said he was pleased to have atoned for the 34th-minute miss that saw him spoon the ball over an open goal after Iker Casillas had spilled a Michel Bastos cross at his feet.
"After we conceded the goal, we showed character and we were able to come back, which gives us a chance for the return leg," said the former Saint-Etienne frontman.
"It's my goal but my friends helped me a fair bit. I was lucky to get a nice flick-on from Cris.
"After my chance in the first half, I knew that I'd get another one and that I'd have to keep my cool."

Leonardo wary of Bayern vengeance

Inter Milan coach Leonardo (pictured) believes Bayern Munich will be gunning for revenge when they arrive in Italy for the Champions League clash between the pair on Wednesday.

Inter Milan coach Leonardo believes Bayern Munich will be gunning for revenge when they arrive in Italy for the Champions League clash between the pair on Wednesday.
Inter claimed their first European title in 45 years when Jose Mourinho led them to a 2-0 victory over the Germans in the final in Madrid last May.
But having finished second to Tottenham in the group stages, Inter were handed one of the toughest second round draws possible.
And Leonardo, who took over the club reins in late December after the dismissal of Mourinho's successor Rafael Benitez, is expecting Louis van Gaal's team to be highly motivated.
"That will still be playing on their minds," said Leonardo about the Madrid final.
"It will still be fresh in the Bayern players' memory that Inter ended years of Champions League frustration by winning it when they beat them. A lot of things have changed since then but the past will always be there."
When the draw was made it was debatable as to which side would have been considered favourites as Inter were struggling both at home and in Europe.
But Leonardo has revived their fortunes and 10 wins in his 12 matches in charge is testament to the Brazilian's effect on the team.
Inter have also become an expansive and attacking team under Leonardo, scoring goals at will but also leaking a few.
And that's not likely to change on Wednesday or in the second leg in Munich three weeks later.
"I don't believe that our style of play will alter dramatically between the home match and the away clash but of course we respect our opponents and we will have a good look at them beforehand," said Leonardo.
"In theory, at home in the second leg Bayern will have a better chance to turn the tie around or to retain any advantage they may have got from the first leg.
"But I think if we secure a good result in the first leg we can contain them away."
With Bayern being a van Gaal team, there is no doubt the game should be a swashbuckling affair as the Germans certainly won't come to defend.
"The self-confidence is there. We want to win, any other result would be rubbish," insisted young forward Thomas Mueller.
And if precedence is anything to go by, then Inter can expect Bayern to have a go at them.
Last season Bayern reached the last game in the group stages at risk of crashing out and needing a win away to Juventus to snatch second place in their group.
And despite going down a goal, Bayern produced a stunning, positive, attacking display to run out 4-1 winners.
However, they have not always been at their best this season and although they won 3-1 away to Mainz at the weekend, Van Gaal is expecting more from his team.
"We gave the ball away unnecessarily far too often, we were very careless in the final quarter of the field," he said.
"We know that, and we'll improve. But overall, I'm very satisfied."
In fact both sides are upwardly mobile in their domestic leagues and Inter centre-back Ivan Cordoba believes his side will have to perform to progress.
"We know they had a difficult patch this season but now they're back in great form and that should be an extra motivation for us," he said.
"We need to play a great match and then go away and get a result there too.
"We can't expect Bayern to leave gaps on Wednesday so we will have to work hard to create them and be up for it from the first minute."

Backs to the wall for injury-hit Marseille

Having lost striker Andre-Pierre Gignac (pictured) to injury, Marseille will place even greater emphasis on defence when they host Manchester United in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first l

Having lost striker Andre-Pierre Gignac to injury, Marseille will place even greater emphasis on defence when they host Manchester United in Wednesday's Champions League last 16 first leg.
Gignac left the field in the 74th minute of Marseille's 2-1 defeat of Saint-Etienne on Saturday after sustaining an adductor muscle injury and has been ruled out for 15 days.
After an unconvincing start to his Marseille career, the former Toulouse striker had scored four goals in his previous four league games and his absence forces the French champions into an unwelcome attacking re-shuffle.
Fellow forwards Loic Remy and Brandao also failed to finish the game against Saint-Etienne after picking up knocks in the second half, but both are expected to be fit for the clash at Stade Velodrome.
France international midfielder Mathieu Valbuena is likely to start on the bench, meanwhile, as he continues his recovery from a knee injury.
With United strong favourites to go through, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps says his side will have to do everything they can to prevent the three-time European champions from claiming a precious away goal.
"They were unbeaten in the group phase," said Deschamps, who captained OM to Champions League success in 1993.
"They're a team with huge talent up front but they're also a team that defends very, very well. I don't think there will be lots of goals.
"Knowing that the first leg is at our place and knowing the importance of away goals, of course we'll do everything to score but we know that it will also be important not to concede at the Velodrome."
Having begun the defence of their Ligue 1 title with back-to-back defeats, Marseille have had to dig deep to fight their way back into the title race and currently trail leaders Lille by three points.
The win over Saint-Etienne was their third consecutive league success, but holding midfielder Edouard Cisse knows that victory will not be easily acquired against United, who reached the quarter-finals last season.
"A little 0-0 draw would be fine with us, objectively speaking," Cisse told the Ligue 1 website. "Obviously I'd love to win 4-0 or 5-0.
"It's true that we beat Chelsea (1-0) in our final group game but we were both already qualified and it was more like a friendly match.
"We're obviously expecting a much tougher match against United."
United are currently four points clear of Arsenal in the Premier League but they endured an uncomfortable afternoon on Saturday when they only managed to beat non-league (fifth division) Crawley Town 1-0 in the FA Cup.
"There is no doubt a few players did not do themselves justice," said scathing United coach Sir Alex Ferguson.

With Manchester United strong favourites to go through, Marseille coach Didier Deschamps says his side will have to do everything they can to prevent the three-time European champions from claiming a precious away goal.

"It was disappointing. We had some players who maybe don't understand what FA Cup football is like."
United lost Brazilian twins Rafael and Fabio da Silva to injury during the course of the game with Crawley and also had to withdraw their midfield compatriot Anderson after he sustained a hamstring problem.
Former South Korea midfielder Park Ji-Sung, meanwhile, has been ruled out of the Marseille trip with a hamstring injury.
There was more positive news on Monday, however, when France international left-back Patrice Evra signed a new contract that ties him to the club until 2014.
The former Nice and Monaco defender is likely to receive a hostile reception from the Marseille fans on what will be his first appearance in his homeland since he played a leading role in France's World Cup mutiny.
"Marseille are a handful at their own ground, their fantastic atmosphere and incredible support guarantees that," said Ferguson when the draw was made.
"They've had a good change in fortunes in the last two or three years, after a dry spell, and I think it'll be a difficult tie."
The teams have met once before in the Champions League, sharing a win apiece in the 1999-2000 group stage.

Cole hammers Burnley FA Cup hopes

West Ham United's Carlton Cole (C) goes around Burnley's Lee Grant to score during their FA Cup fifth round football match at Upton Park in London. A double by England striker Cole inspired Premier League strugglers West Ham to a 5-1 thrashing of Championship side Burnley and earn them a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals here on Monday.

A double by England striker Carlton Cole inspired Premier League strugglers West Ham to a 5-1 thrashing of Championship side Burnley and earn them a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals here on Monday.
The 27-year-old struck in the 48th and 50th minutes to add to German Thomas Hitzlsperger's opener on his debut for the three-time FA Cup winners - Kiwi international defender Winston Reid added a fourth for his first goal for the club.
Burnley - who had beaten their opponents in their last meeting in the Premier League in February last year - reduced the deficit through Rodriguez but the four goal advantage was restored in time added on by Freddie Sears.
For 28-year-old Hitzlsperger - capped 52 times - it was the perfect start to his career with the club, which had been long delayed after suffering a serious injury following his transfer last June.
"It went so well tonight," said Hitzlsperger, who is in his second spell in England having earlier in his career played for Aston Villa.
"I didn't know what to expect after being out for so long. The fans must have forgotten about me.
"It's been a tough time, so this is a special night for me."
West Ham manager Avram Grant said that the decision at half-time to expose their opponents high defensive line had worked a treat - however he added he hoped his season ended differently to last year when as manager of Portsmouth they reached the FA Cup final and were relegated.
"Stay up and win the FA Cup final' I'd buy that right now," said Grant, before adding that the return to fitness of Hitzlsperger had been crucial to confidence off and on the pitch.
Victory sees the Hammers earn an away trip to Premier League rivals Stoke.

Ancelotti backs Chelsea to avoid Champions League disaster

Chelsea's Manager Carlo Ancelotti (right) eyes John Terry during a press conference on the eve of their game against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League round of 16 at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, on February 21.

Carlo Ancelotti has backed his Chelsea flops to keep their season alive with a victory over FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Ancelotti's beleaguered team has gone to Denmark for the first leg of their last 16 tie with morale at a low ebb after Saturday's FA Cup exit against Everton.
Chelsea are a club in crisis in the aftermath of that fourth round replay defeat and Ancelotti's job will be in severe danger if Copenhagen eliminate the Blues from Europe.
Ancelotti has already conceded that the Premier League title is out of reach as Chelsea are 12 points behind leaders United and, with even a top four finish far from certain, the Italian knows it is essential his team show signs of life in the Champions League.
"It's not an easy moment, obviously, because we have to play very important games," Ancelotti said.
"Sometimes it's good to play tough games because you are more focused, more competitive, so we don't have to be afraid to play against Copenhagen. It could be a good motivation for us.
"We know Copenhagen very well. They are a good team, with fantastic organisation, a dynamic team, they use a lot of speed.
"It's important to know this to prepare well for the game, and to have courage to play."
Chelsea's woeful run since November is a major stain on Ancelotti's CV but the former AC Milan coach was hired by Blues owner Roman Abramovich because of his pedigree in Europe's elite club competition.
Chelsea had reached five semi-finals and one final in the Champions League during the Abramovich era before Jose Mourinho's Inter Milan eliminated the Blues at this stage last season.
Failure to retain the English title would surely be overlooked if Ancelotti could finally deliver the Champions League trophy Abramovich has craved ever since buying the club.
Ancelotti believes he should only be judged once Chelsea's European fate is decided and he said: "Until the end of the season, it's 90 days, three months. And so, we have to give an opinion at the end of the season.
"It could be, again, a very good season for us because we want to stay in the Champions League and obviously reach fourth place."

FC Copenhagen's Jesper Gronkjaer controls the ball during a training session on the eve of the game against Chelsea in the Champions League round of 16 at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen, on February 21.

Copenhagen are regarded as one of the less formidable teams left in the competition, but the Danish champions are unbeaten at home in the Champions League, including a visit from Barcelona this season.
They also have a little inside knowledge of Chelsea, with former Blues winger Jesper Gronkjaer in their ranks.
Gronkjaer played a key role in Abramovich's arrival at Stamford Bridge as it was his goal against Liverpool on the final day of the 2002-03 season which secured Champions League football for Chelsea, making the club a more attractive investment for the Russian, who bought the Blues just months later.
"That goal is said to have been enormously important," Gronkjaer told the Sunday Times.
"We broke a long period in which Chelsea had not been in the Champions League. To score was a tremendous joy. It was among the most important matches I've played, though at the time we knew nothing about Abramovich.
The summer that Abramovich arrived was crazy. We were on a training camp in Malaysia. One day, Wayne Bridge arrived, a couple of days later Damien Duff showed up, while a third player went home. We were all thinking, 'Are we going to have a squad of 30 players''
"Abramovich sat in the dressing room sometimes and other times he stood on the sidelines. I cannot say whether he actually has any football savvy but his presence meant that there was consistently a strong push to achieve."

Pato rescues Milan against Chievo in Serie A match

AC Milan's Brazilian forward Pato celebrates at the end of the Serie A football match between Chievo vs AC Milan at Bentegodi Stadium in Verona. AC Milan won 2-1.

AC Milan maintained their grip on top spot in Serie A after Alexandre Pato scored a late winner to earn them a 2-1 success at 10-man Chievo on Sunday.
Robinho had given them a controversial first-half lead before Gelson Fernandes equalised in the second period, but Pato came off the bench to score the winner before Bostjan Cesar was dismissed for a second booking late on.
Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri described the victory as a gift to club president Silvio Berlusconi, who was celebrating 25 years as club owner.
"The lads have given president Berlusconi a lovely present," said Allegri.
"I haven't spoken to him yet but he'll surely be pleased, as we all are."
Milan went in front in contentious fashion on 25 minutes.
Antonio Cassano stood the ball up to the back post and Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed it back into the danger zone where Robinho controlled it, spun and trickled a shot into the corner.
However, television replays showed that the Brazilian controlled the ball with his upper arm despite the referee appearing to have a clear and unobstructed view of the incident.
"Robinho's handball was obvious. From the bench I had a perfect view of it and I saw it straight away but even the referee was perfectly placed," complained Chievo coach Stefano Pioli.
Allegri concurred: "From the bench my feeling was that Robinho controlled it with his arm. But at the end of the day, referees' decisions balance themselves out and I don't think there was any bad faith but simply a mistake."
Chievo equalised just after the hour as Frenchman Kevin Constant sent a cross to the back post where Fernandes arrived from deep to head home, with Milan midfielder Alexsander Merkel reacting to his burst just a second too late.

AS Roma's Brazilian midfielder Rodrigo Taddei reacts during his team's Serie A football match against Genoa at Marassi Stadium in Genoa. Genoa won 4-3.

Pato's winner eight minutes from time was a classy strike as he ghosted in between two defenders and shot home off the near post.
Napoli claimed back second place from Inter Milan with a laboured and nervy 1-0 win over Catania, just a week before their crucial trip to Milan.
Colombian Juan Zuniga scored the only goal of the game on 25 minutes as he pounced on a deflected shot from Edinson Cavani to shoot home at the near post.
Napoli trail Milan by three points with Inter just two points further back.
Roma's misery continued as they blew a 3-0 lead to lose 4-3 at Genoa, their fourth defeat in a row, with coach Claudio Ranieri promptly resigning after the game.
They seemed to be cruising early in the second half following goals from Philippe Mexes, Nicolas Burdisso and Francesco Totti but they fell victim to the defensive frailty that has blighted their season -- they have conceded 54 goals in 35 matches.
Rodrigo Palacios and substitute Alberto Paloschi both snatched second-half braces to turn the game around and make up Ranieri's mind.

Lecce boosted their hopes of escaping relegation while denting Juventus's chances of qualifying for the Champions League with a 2-0 victory.

Djamel Mesbah and Andrea Bertolacci scored for the southerners and Juventus had goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon sent off.

Hosts Lecce also had captain Giuseppe Vives dismissed in the second half.

The turning point came on 12 minutes as David Di Michele chased a ball over the top and reached it before Buffon, who instinctively stuck out a left hand to block his shot, but outside his box, earning him a red card.

Lecce took the lead just past the half-hour mark as Gianni Munari played a perfect ball over the top and Mesbah took it down on his chest before slotting between substitute goalkeeper Marco Storari's legs.

Lecce only had to wait three minutes after the restart for their second as they opened up Juve's creaking defence once again, with Vives chipping the ball to the back post for Di Michele to head across goal, where Bertolacci tapped home.

Wenger stumped by Orient hero Tehoue

Arsenal's Sebastien Squillaci (left) gestures after Leyton Orient players confront the referee Kevin Friend over a possible handball in the penalty box during their FA Cup 5th round match at The Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road in London, on February 20. The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admitted he had never heard of the player whose late equaliser earned Leyton Orient of League One (third division) a 1-1 draw in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
Wenger's fellow Frenchman Jonathan Tehoue came off the bench on Sunday to score against the Premier League title contenders, who had beaten Barcelona in the Champions League just five days previously.
The 89th-minute goal earned Orient a lucrative replay at the Emirates Stadium on March 2, with both teams having discovered before kick-off that the winners will travel to Manchester United in the quarter-finals.
Arsenal will be huge favourites to come through the tie and move on to Old Trafford but the Gunners had no answer to Tehoue after Tomas Rosicky had headed the visitors in front early in the second half.
The Frenchman beat goalkeeper Manuel Almunia with a low drive from just inside the area that Wenger had not been expecting, even though the Arsenal manager is famed for his encyclopedic knowledge of the game.
"I don't know him," Wenger admitted. "I saw him when he came on but I never heard a thing before."
Wenger, who made 10 changes from the starting line-up that had come from behind to beat Barcelona, does not always lavish praise on the opposition but did so on this occasion.
"That is what football is about," he said. "I believed we played the game in the right spirit and I cannot fault our fighting spirit but you have to give credit as well to Leyton Orient -- they never gave up.
"And if you don't score the second goal then that kind of thing can happen. It is a disappointment, of course, but we are still in the competition.
"The most important thing is that we go through. Orient showed fighting spirit against a side that was technically superior but in a cup game, fighting spirit has a chance."
Orient manager Russell Slade was understandably delighted with Tehoue's contribution after replacing Scott McGleish just after the hour mark.
"To be 1-0 down to Arsenal and everything looking like it was slip-sliding away, to get that goal was great timing," said Slade.
"It meant they couldn't get Cesc Fabregas on or anybody else who might undo us. He (Tehoue) has scored all of his eight goals in the 85th minute onwards. He is our super-sub. He's our secret weapon -- brilliant!"
The player himself revealed why he was always on the bench instead of in the starting line-up.
"I am still overweight," he said. "I had a bad hamstring injury and was out for four months."
Orient owner Barry Hearn will now have to make good on a promise to take the players to Las Vegas if they avoided defeat.
"The lads had Elvis Presley on when he walked in the changing room, singing 'Viva Las Vegas'," Slade revealed.
Arsenal, meanwhile, have been left with an unwanted extra fixture and the realisation that they have acquired an unwelcome habit of being unable to dispose easily of teams from lower divisions.
"The most negative side of our result today is that it is one more fixture and that's not what we needed," said Wenger.
"We have had problems with teams from lower divisions to finish them off. We had that problem against Huddersfield, Leeds and Ipswich."

Arsenal held as Orient snatch late leveller in FA Cup

Leyton Orient's Captain Stephen Dawson (R) vies with Arsenal's Danish player Nicklas Bendtner during their FA Cup fifth round football match at The Matchroom Stadium, Brisbane Road in London. Arsenal were held to an embarrassing 1-1 draw by Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth round.

Arsenal were held to an embarrassing 1-1 draw by Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fifth round after the League One (third-tier) side snatched a last-gasp equaliser at Brisbane Road on Sunday.
Arsene Wenger's team had enjoyed a famous 2-1 win over Spanish champions Barcelona in their Champions League last 16 first leg on Wednesday, but they were brought back down to earth in east London as Orient substitute Jonathan Tehoue cancelled out Tomas Rosicky's opener.
Wenger made 10 changes from the line-up that beat Barca, with 18-year-old Spanish centre-half Ignasi Miquel making his debut, and Orient were never overawed against the understudies.
Arsenal midfielder Rosicky broke the deadlock with a header from Nicklas Bendtner's cross in the 53rd minute.
But Orient earned a money-spinning replay at the Emirates Stadium when French striker Tehoue skipped past two defenders and smashed a powerful shot past Manuel Almunia's weak attempted save in the 89th minute.
Whatever happens in the replay, the players are due a fortnight in Las Vegas at the invitation of Orient's flamboyant owner, snooker promoter Barry Hearn, who had promised them the trip should they either win or get a draw.
The winners of the replay will face Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals.
Wenger said: "We have played the game with the right attitude and could not fault our fighting spirit, but you also have to give credit to Leyton Orient because they never gave up.
"Overall it is a disappointment, but we are still in the competition. The most negative side of our result is one more fixture and in fairness, that is not what we needed."
Orient boss Russell Slade added: "I thought we were going to lose with a bit of dignity but that's our seventh game in the FA Cup.
"We nearly went out in the first round, and to hang in there... It's the same in the league, it's one defeat in 21. You have to be happy with that."
Elsewhere on Sunday, Patrick Vieira fired Manchester City into the fifth round as the French midfielder's double inspired a 5-0 rout of Notts County in a fourth-round replay.
Vieira, a four-time FA Cup winner with Arsenal, was on target in each half at Eastlands and Carlos Tevez, Edin Dzeko and Micah Richards also scored late on as Roberto Mancini's side booked a home clash with Aston Villa.
Mancini's men took the lead in the 37th minute as Vieira's header from David Silva's corner deflected in off Krystian Pearce.
Vieira struck again in the 58th minute with another header, this time from Alexandar Kolarov's corner.
Tevez came on to score in the 84th minute, while Dzeko netted in the 89th minute and Richards completed the rout in the final moments.
"In the first half an hour Notts County played very well," Mancini said.
"It was an important win. I think for us it (the FA Cup) is important.
"We started the game so slowly because when you play every three days, it is difficult to play 100 percent in every game. But after we scored it changed the game."
Bolton beat Fulham 1-0 at Craven Cottage in the fifth round to secure a quarter-final clash at Birmingham.
Fulham were unbeaten in their last six games, but they fell behind in the 19th minute when Croatian striker Ivan Klasnic pounced on a poor clearance to drill a fine volley past Mark Schwarzer.
It capped a good day for Klasnic, who scored the winner against Wigan in this week's fourth-round replay, as the Bolton star also learned he would not face charges after he was arrested on suspicion of rape in October.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "We knew from the outset he had done nothing wrong. Ivan was in a bad position because we couldn't really say anything because of the extent of what was involved.
"He has tried to deal with it with a smile on his face. He probably felt his family were hurt more than himself because he knew he had done nothing wrong.
"We are glad it is away and hopefully we can see the best of Ivan now in the run-in."