Almeida puts Bremen in control

Werder Bremen gained the upper hand in their UEFA Cup last-16 encounter with RC Celta de Vigo courtesy of a 1-0 win in Spain. Substitute Hugo Almeida scored the only goal with six minutes to go, making Bremen clear favourites to progress in the return leg on 14 March.

Hunt denied
The Bundesliga outfit were much the more threatening side early on, and striker Aaron Hunt got in behind the home defence three times in the first 20 minutes. His first chance, after six minutes, brought a good save out of Esteban Suárez, before the Bremen forward had another effort stopped by Celta's goalkeeper. It looked to be third time lucky in the 19th minute when Hunt drove a left-footed shot past Esteban, but this struck the inside of the post and stayed out.

Núñez chance
Diego also went close for the visitors from a free-kick, while Miroslav Klose spurned a notable opportunity just before the break as Bremen enjoyed the better of the opening period. Celta's best two moments of the first half fell to Antonio Núñez, who wasted one glimmer of goal by opting to cross instead of shoot, then tested the reflexes of visiting goalkeeper Tim Wiese following a corner.

Audacious chip
The hosts brought on striker Baiano at half-time, and posed a greater threat thereafter. Bremen were still dangerous, though, and Jurica Vranješ had an attempt palmed away by Esteban in the 64th minute. Baiano hit an effort straight at Wiese with 13 minutes remaining before Torsten Frings's audacious long-range chip sailed narrowly over. Yet just when it seemed the game would end in stalemate, Bremen scored a crucial away goal as Portuguese forward Almeida headed home Pierre Wome's cross.