Mears Marseille's unlikely hero

[El Morto La Hoja!]

Ajax suffer 4-3 aggregate defeat in Uefa Cup
_{Last updated: 18th March 2009}

An extra-time goal from on-loan right-back Tyrone Mears secured Marseille's place in the last eight of the Uefa Cup as they defeated Ajax 4-3 on aggregate.

Ligue 1 giants Marseille were the victors at the Stade Velodrome last week after they picked up a 2-1 first leg triumph.

But it was Ajax who began the second leg at Amsterdam ArenA the stronger as Eyong Enoh netted on 33 minutes to level on aggregate.

However, Mamadou Niang scored for Eric Gerets' side just two minutes later to hand Marseille the edge.

And l'OM looked to be heading for the quarter-finals until Miralem Sulejmani's scored for the home side to send the match into extra-time.

With the tie delicately poised, Mears, who controversially joined Marseille after undergoing a trial without his parent club Derby County's permission, popped up in extra-time to see off Ajax, who also had Bruno Silva sent off.

[GresleyRam©®™]

Good - hope they sign the disloyal judas BASTARD!

[Natty]

seen this last nite only his 2nd start all season lol

[Natty]

Mar 19, 2009 8:12:28 GMT -1 GresleyRam©®™ said:

Good - hope they sign the disloyal judas BASTARD!

Marseille's UEFA Cup hero Tyrone Mears is hoping to turn his loan move from Derby County into a permanent deal at the French giants

Mears, who is on a season-long loan from the Rams, made himself a hero with the club's fans by scoring an extra-time winner against Ajax to send Marseille into the quarter-finals of the UEFA Cup.

The 26-year-old has had to be patient for his chance in the Marseille side since his move last August due to injury and the fact Laurent Bonnart is established as first-choice right-back.

However, an injury to Bonnart has given Mears his chance to shine and he is set for an extended run in the side with his team-mate ruled out for the rest of the season.

Mears impressed on his Ligue 1 debut last weekend with a man-of-the-match performance in the 3-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain and he followed that up with the winner against Ajax on Wednesday.

Marseille have the option to turn Mears' loan deal into a permanent move for 1.5million Euros and the club are believed to be lining up a move to keep the full-back.

The former Preston and West Ham defender is enjoying his time in the south of France and is keen to make his loan move permanent.

"I have had to be patient to get my chance in the team and now I am determined to take my opportunity," Mears told skysports. "The last two games have been great for me and it was an amazing feeling to score the winning goal against Ajax and send the team into the quarter-finals.

"There was a lot of eyebrows raised when I joined Marseille, but my agent Willie McKay did a great job and I knew the style of football in France would suit me.

"I am happy with life in Marseille and everyone at the club has been great to me.

"The fans are amazing and Erik Gerets has helped make me a better player.

"I would like to stay at Marseille as once you have played for someone as big as this you do not want to play for anyone else