Last-gasp Ayew gives Marseille advantage over Inter
A dramatic 93rd-minute header from Andre Ayew gave Marseille a 1-0 victory over luckless Inter in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie tonight. Bidding to reach the last eight for the first time since they won the trophy in 1993, the hosts dominated possession but looked set for a night of frustration until Ayew's decisive intervention in the game's dying stages. Having been eliminated by Manchester United at the same stage of last season's competition, Didier Deschamps' side will now travel to San Siro on March 13 with high hopes of reaching the quarter-finals. Inter, meanwhile, have now gone seven matches without victory and coach Claudio Ranieri will only face more questions about his future after this latest setback. Ranieri had persisted with the out-of-form Wesley Sneijder and handed Argentine forward Mauro Zarate a first start since November, while Brandao took the place of OM's injured top scorer Loic Remy. After a watchful start, Inter began to carry a threat on the counter-attack and Steve Mandanda had to tip over a shot from Diego Forlan on 10 minutes after the Uruguayan met Esteban Cambiasso's cross ...

United slayers Basel stun Bayern Munich
 FC Basel boosted their chances of a place in the Champions League quarter-finals with a shock 1-0 win over Bayern Munich in the last 16 first-leg tie tonight Having beaten Manchester United 2-1 in Basel last December, the hosts pulled off another stunning victory when midfielder Valentin Stocker found the target in the 86th minute. The defeat compounded Bayern's flagging confidence ahead of the return leg on March 13 at their Allianz Arena, which also hosts the final on May 19. While Basel are flying high at the top of the Swiss league, Bayern have won just three of their seven games since Christmas and were held to a goalless draw at bottom side Freiburg last Saturday to leave them third in the Bundesliga. They have now also gone 240 minutes without a goal. In Basel, Bayern coach Jupp Heynckes started with Toni Kroos in the central attacking midfielder position, flanked by France wing Franck Ribery and Dutch World Cup finalist Arjen Robben. It meant no place in the starting line-up for Thomas Mueller, the top scorer at the last World Cup, while Germany striker Mario Gomez was the lone striker. Ribery tested...

PL demands political responsibility for road works bribery case, Air Malta mistakes
The Labour Party said this evening that somebody had to assume political responsibility for the road construction bribery case, the latest in what it said was a series of corruption cases at Transport Malta. Earlier today, a Transport Malta architect and a director and an employee of a road-construction company were accused of corruption, with the prosecution alleging that the architect and the director pocketed some €500,000 by inflating bills. Another man involved in the scrap metal business admitted producing false bills which were presented to Transport Malta. (See full story at http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20120222/local/two-arraigned-in-road-works-bribery-case.408000 ) Labour leader Joseph Muscat, speaking at a political event in Safi said somebody needed to assume political responsibility for this latest scandal at Transport Malta. He said this case exposed another racket at the expense of the taxpayer and followed cases of corruption in the granting of vehicle licences, boat licences and attempted bribery during the superyachts facility privatisation process, not to mention the disaster which was the bus service reform, also...

Man City beat Porto in Europa League clash
Manchester City produced a strong finish to power into the last 16 of the Europa League at the expense of 10-man holders Porto tonight. Sergio Aguero set up victory by extending City's 2-1 first-leg lead after just 18 seconds at the rainswept Etihad Stadium before hitting the bar later in the first half. Edin Dzeko came off the bench to add a second after 76 minutes before the sending off of Rolando preceded further goals from David Silva and David Pizarro in the closing minutes. Although the decisive goals came late, the result did not flatter the Barclays Premier League leaders. The Portuguese champions may have controlled the game at times but they lacked a cutting edge and Roberto Mancini's side always looked more threatening in attack. The build-up to the match was overshadowed by City striker Carlos Tevez's apology for his recent conduct while Chelsea's latest troubles also commanded headlines. Both issues were again highlighted as Mancini said prior to kick-off he would meet Tevez tomorrow while Chelsea's under-pressure manager boss Andre Villas-Boas arrived to watch the game. Villas-Boas won the Europa League...

Mancini ready to welcome Tevez back
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini tonight said he had "no problem" with Carlos Tevez and the striker could be considered for selection in "two or three weeks". Tevez said in a statement released by City last night that he was "sincerely and unreservedly" sorry for his actions in taking an unauthorised three-month leave of absence from the club. The Argentinian also withdrew his appeal against a fine of six weeks' wages. Tevez has not played for City since he was accused of refusing to warm up during the Champions League defeat at Bayern Munich on September 27. Mancini, at the time, said Tevez was "finished" at the club as a result and the dispute escalated when the player then flew to Argentina without permission on November 7. However, after tonight's 4-0 defeat of Porto booked City's place in the last 16 of the Europa League, Mancini said Tevez would be available once he deems him match fit. The Italian told ESPN: "One week after Munich I called him to my house and said, 'Carlos, apologise to everyone and it's finished'. "I have no problem. I think he needs two to three weeks to train, then some...