Zenit beat Rangers to lift UEFA Cup

MANCHESTER (Reuters) - Zenit St Petersburg won their first UEFA Cup when Igor Denisov and Konstantin Zyrianov's second-half goals gave the Russian side a 2-0 win over Rangers on Wednesday.

Midfielder Denisov broke the deadlock in the 72nd minute after playmaker Andrei Arshavin slipped the ball neatly through for him to calmly shoot past goalkeeper Neil Alexander and Zyrianov added their second goal in stoppage time.

Zenit created most of the chances at the City of Manchester stadium, with the Scottish side content to soak up pressure.

Rangers could have made more of a scramble in the box early in the second half after Zenit keeper Vyacheslav Malafeev fumbled a Jean-Claude Darcheville shot.

Rangers, appearing in their first European final since lifting the Cup Winners' Cup in 1972, desperately sought an equaliser but Zenit kept up the pressure and Zyrianov made sure of the victory by finishing a fine move from close range.

(Editing by Ken Ferris)