Soccer/UEFA Cup/Lokeren 0; Manchester City 1: The dream of European glory lives on for Manchester City after Nicolas Anelka scored his eighth goal of the season last night.

Anelka secured their passage into the second round of the UEFA Cup, scoring from the spot after 19 minutes. City, 3-2 winners from the first leg, then gave a professional performance to sew the tie up.

Manager Kevin Keegan made two changes to the side that lost to Wolves last Saturday week. Steve McManaman had recovered from a hamstring injury and returned to the starting line-up at the Daknam Stadium.

Trevor Sinclair was also restored to the side with Claudio Reyna and Antoine Sibierski having to settle for places on the bench.

City, back in Europe for the first time in 25 seasons, brought 4,000 supporters with them and they made up half the crowd in Lokeren's neat little ground.

Lokeren were busy and bright at the start but it was City who carved out the first chance of the match. Michael Tarnat launched a long ball into the path of Paulo Wanchope and he laid it off to Anelka. However, he was slightly off balance and his shot went over the top.

Then Shaun Wright-Phillips stung the hands of goalkeeper Sven van der Jeugt after being released by Anelka.

There was a scare for City after 14 minutes when Davy de Beule nutmegged Sylvain Distin only to send his effort narrowly wide.

However they took the lead after 19 minutes when Anelka scored from the spot to make it 4-2 on aggregate.

The penalty was awarded after Wanchope threw himself over after a challenge by Mamadou Coulibaly.

Anelka showed a cool head to convert his fifth penalty of the season. The goal sparked off a scuffle in the crowd but police quickly restored order.

City, however, were looking far from comfortable at the back and de Beule again skipped away but his shot was off target.

But they looked formidable going forward and Tarnat picked out Wanchope with a good through ball. However, he was robbed just as he prepared to shoot.

Lokeren were continuing to play some neat football considering they had gone 17 league games without a win bonus.

But it was City who remained in the driving seat throughout the the second half and eventually Lokeren ran out of steam as City concentrated on defending their two-goal lead.

LOKEREN: Van der Jeugt, Conte, Katana, Vidarsson, Gretarsson, Kristinsson, De Beule, Coulibali, Doba, Fofana, Muzinga.

MAN CITY: Seaman, Jihai, Sommeil, Distin, Tarnat, Wright-Phillips, McManaman, Bosvelt, Sinclair, Wanchope, Anelka.

Referee: Damien Ledentu (France)