COPENHAGEN: Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti was in defiant mood after his side strolled to a 2-0 win over FC Copenhagen at Parken Stadium this morning — declaring the Blues are 'still alive' after securing an advantage in the Champions League last 16.

A Nicolas Anelka double in the 17th and 54th minutes put Chelsea firmly in command of the tie and they are favourites to go into the quarterfinal stages.

And Ancelotti is adamant that Chelsea's season is not over yet.

"We are still alive," he told Sky Sports.

"It was a good result and good performance. We were very well prepared and focussed but it is just the first-half there, still a long way to go."

The Italian admitted he had been feeling the pressure after recent results, which have seen Chelsea slip into fifth in the Premier League, having failed to score against Fulham and Liverpool in previous matches.

A defeat to Everton on penalties last Saturday in the FA Cup meant even less chance of some silverware and Ancelotti admitted it was a relief to get the victory this morning.

"Obviously, it is very satisfying having had a considerable amount of pressure put on us to get a good result. We want to do the best and tonight was good," he said.

Newly-signed striker Fernando Torres made his Champions League debut but was unable to open his account for the Blues despite having a few chances to do so.

However, Ancelotti felt that Torres played a significant part in the win and played very well, even opting to take Anelka — who was on a hattrick at the time — out of the action before he substituted the Spaniard in stoppage time.

He argued it was because Torres had not played last Saturday against Everton and Anelka needed a rest after being involved in extra-time in that match.

"No, because Torres did not play Saturday.

"Anelka played extra-time on Saturday, and Torres was fresh.

"Anelka did a fantastic job by scoring two goals but Torres was key in this game. He is a striker and always is dangerous.

"He was unlucky that he did not score but he still had a fantastic game," he said.

PARIS: Marseille boss Didier Deschamps (pic) does not feel Manchester United are sprinkled with the same stardust of old but they are no less effective.

The man once dismissively dubbed "a water carrier" by Eric Cantona must pit his wits with United at Stade Velodrome tomorrow (3.45am) as the Red Devils resume their latest quest to win the Champions League.

United will do so without seven key members of their squad — including Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand and Antonio Valencia, who could come into contention for the second leg in three weeks' time as he edges towards recovery from a serious ankle injury.

Yet, even with those players, Deschamps believes it is not a United squad glittering with brilliance, the mesmeric skills of Cristiano Ronaldo replaced by a more functional approach that saw the Premier League leaders concede just one goal during the opening group phase.

"The winning culture is part of the DNA at a club like United," said Deschamps.

"They always have talented players and people such as Nani, Wayne Rooney and Dimitar Berbatov can make the difference at any time.

"I have heard a lot about the style of play. But the most important thing is winning games.

"I concentrate on the fact they conceded one goal in six games. Maybe there is less fantasy about them than there was in the past but the Marseille team I was part of in 1993 were not the nicest and we still won the European Cup."

Although that honour was stripped of Marseille after the bribery scandal which engulfed them, Deschamps still finished a winner — lifting the trophy with Juventus — part of a glittering career that also saw him lift the World Cup as captain of France in 1998.

It was with some sadness, therefore, that he watched events unfold during the the World Cup in South Africa last year, when Patrice Evra was said to be leading the strike action following Nicolas Anelka's expulsion from the Franch squad by coach Raymond Domenech.

Deschamps knows Evra well given the defender played in the side he managed at Monaco who reached the Champions League final in 2004, when they lost to FC Porto, who had Jose Mourinho as manager.

"Okay, Evra was the captain in South Africa but there were a lot of staff around him who were linked to that as well," said Deschamps.

"I prefer to remember what happened when he played for me at Monaco.

"I am really proud of what he has done since then at a great club like United."

Although Evra pocketed a new three-and-a-half year contract with United on Monday, that may not save him from a particularly nasty reception from notoriously vociferous Marseille supporters, when he plays his first game in his homeland since that summer debacle.

The sour taste it left with the French public will not easily be washed away, and turned out to be one of the reasons why Deschamps snubbed Liverpool in the summer when they approached him about replacing Rafael Benitez.

"I am very involved with this club — with the fans, the players and the president," he said.

"After what happened at the World Cup I didn't think it would give the right impression to leave two days before the season started. I am very proud Liverpool thought about me but it was my decision not to go."