Bellamy breaks København resistance

Craig Bellamy scored twice in the last 17 minutes to ensure Manchester City FC eased past FC København and earned a UEFA Cup Round of 16 tie against another Danish side, Aalborg BK.

Christiansen beaten
The home side, who would have gone through on away goals had the second leg finished scoreless, were not content to sit on that advantage but found FCK goalkeeper Jesper Christiansen tough to beat. Two goals in seven minutes from Bellamy, however, ensured Martin Vingaard's late goal for the visitors was in vain. Fair Play entrants City will now face their third Superligaen opponents of the season in AaB, having previously beaten FC Midtjylland on penalties in the second qualifying round.

First-half chances
City had led twice in Copenhagen only to be pegged back each time and they began tonight determined to move ahead on aggregate again. On 20 minutes Bellamy's cross was headed by Robinho on to the underside of the crossbar before Christiansen scrambled the ball away, and seconds later the goalkeeper denied the Brazilian striker with a superb save. Robinho tested Christiansen again in the 36th minute and just before half-time he combined again with Bellamy only for the Wales forward to hit the post.

Bellamy strikes
Ailton Almeida fired just over for the visitors early in the second half but City were soon back on the attack. Bellamy finally made the breakthrough with 17 minutes to go as he chased a long Stephen Ireland pass, outmuscled his markers and gave Christiansen no chance with his shot. Robinho missed from close range five minutes later, but he then jinked to the byline and set up Bellamy to strike his second from inside the box. Vingaard, who had netted an injury-time equaliser as a first-leg substitute, narrowed the arrears with virtually the last kick but City can now look forward to welcoming AaB to Manchester when their campaign resumes next month.