Benitez summons up European spirit with tactical master class
Chelsea 0 - Liverpool 0
By Sam Wallace at Stamford Bridge
28 April 2005
Chelsea's greatest accomplishment in the Premiership this season has been their merciless extinguishing of hope in the hearts of all their title rivals. But when they travel to Anfield on Tuesday for this semi-final second leg they will encounter a stadium that crackles with anticipation and a football club that can at last dare to believe that they can turn the brash new order of English football on its head.
No goals at Stamford Bridge, but it was clear that some of the favourite's status Jose Mourinho's team enjoyed before the tie has lurched away from them after they were dealt a tactical master class by Rafael Benitez.
The surroundings may have given the night a domestic aspect yet still Liverpool managed to summon the version of themselves that has disposed of Bayer Leverkusen and Juventus this season rather than the often wretched side who have contested the Premiership.
Tuesday will bring the arrivistes of European football together with a tradition that has the weight of four European Cups behind it. Anfield has sustained its team through nights like these before. There will be, Mourinho said, a "beautiful atmosphere" and yet it represents the most challenging environment that his team have faced. The prospect of this brilliant young coach leading his team into one of English football's proudest old cathedrals will not require any of Mourinho's grandstanding to lend the night its dramatic edge.
But Mourinho offered some anyway. The Chelsea coach was insistent that a goalless draw represented a "good result" for his side and predicted that, now "99.9 per cent" of Liverpool's fans would expect to win, the pressure would switch to Benitez's side. It was a brave attempt to force the burden of expectation back on to Liverpool, but this time Mourinho really was stretching the credulity of his audience. His side remain favourites, but it will be the upset scented by Anfield that gives the match its flavour.
Unlike his opposite number, Benitez spent much of last night's encounter on his feet, ushering his flawlessly organised team into two lines of defensive cohesion. If there was a touch of disappointment about the night for him then it was a booking for Xabi Alonso that rules the Spanish midfielder out of the return tie.
But Chelsea did not escape unscathed. Their inspirational captain John Terry took a blow to his foot in the early stages and, although he soldiered on, left Stamford Bridge limping heavily.
That other key member of Benitez's cast, Steven Gerrard, was not the rampaging, driving force that the most demanding Liverpool fans expect in every match, but his contribution was shaped by a different role, just behind the lone striker Milan Baros. It meant that the two strong men of England's midfield, Gerrard and Frank Lampard, were never properly aligned to engage in the great battle the nation expected. Lampard will remember the match for his miss on 22 minutes, the game's best chance.
There was no Damien Duff, who will be fit for the second leg, and in his place Mourinho opted for the more defensively minded Tiago. It was Chelsea's right flank, however, that interested Benitez. When Gerrard clipped, with barely a glance up, two long, dipping passes out to John Arne Riise within the space of three minutes it was evident that Liverpool had identified Glen Johnson as the most vulnerable in Chelsea's back four.
On 14 minutes, Joe Cole, a menace on the right, crossed for Didier Drogba, who did well to escape the attention of Jamie Carragher and Steve Finnan before the stage fright that has afflicted him of late took its grip. The Chelsea striker dragged his shot badly wide. Riise had seen a well-struck shot stopped by Petr Cech when he slipped away from Ricardo Carvalho and Terry in the area.
Liverpool's best chance came on 39 minutes when Gerrard drifted out to the right and clipped a cross on to Baros' head that Cech did well to palm out. But it was Chelsea, and Lampard, who had the greatest cause for regret. On 22 minutes Cole headed down William Gallas' cross for the England midfielder who snatched at his volley and sent it sailing over the bar from close range.
Chelsea exerted an element of control in the closing stages of the first half and Cole found himself alone on the right with the ball at his feet, but could only strike his shot at Jerzy Dudek. When the rebound fell to Terry, still in the area from the preceding corner, he pulled his shot wide.
As his side struggled to pierce the organisation of Benitez's back four, Mourinho sent on Arjen Robben and then Mateja Kezman, a hint that he was not, perhaps, as happy as he claimed with a goalless draw. Igor Biscan and Alonso provided a barrier that spared Benitez's defence the pummelling that was dished out to Bayern Munich when they came to Stamford Bridge in the previous round. As an attacking force, Drogba's contribution was severely limited.
The away side carved out one chance, an exchange between Gerrard and Biscan that allowed Djibril Cisse, on as a substitute, a shot on goal on 68 minutes. It would be unfair to Liverpool to say that they were left hanging on at the end but by then they had reached a stage that they had not managed all season. Three defeats to Chelsea have preceded this draw but a win for Liverpool on Tuesday would feel like equality.
Chelsea (4-1-4-1): Cech; Johnson, Terry, Carvalho, Gallas; Makelele; Cole (Kezman, 78), Lampard, Tiago (Robben, 59), Gudjohnsen; Drogba. Substitutes not used: Cudicini (gk), Smertin, Geremi, Forssell, Huth.
Liverpool (4-5-1): Dudek; Finnan, Hyypia, Carragher, Traore; Garcia (Smicer, 90), Biscan (Kewell, 87), Gerrard, Alonso, Riise; Baros (Cisse, 65). Substitutes not used: Carson (gk), Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock.
Referee: A Sars (France).
Man for Man
Chelsea
* PETR CECH
Two excellent first-half saves confirmed his supreme status. Gave a commanding performance. 8/10
* GLEN JOHNSON
Confidence gone. Targeted by Liverpool but, nevertheless, steadied himself. Good challenge on Garcia. 6
* JOHN TERRY
Assured, willing to attack. Rarely troubled although, also, was rarely put under pressure. 8
* RICARDO CARVALHO
Too easily beaten by Riise early on. Recovered and not punished for sly challenge on Carragher. 7
* WILLIAM GALLAS
Occupied by Garcia. Used his speed well but, again, did not get forward to any purpose. 6
* CLAUDE MAKELELE
At heart of midfield battle, won challenge after challenge. Dealt with Gerrard well. 8
* FRANK LAMPARD
Threat increased - tireless in defence and attack - should have scored with half-volley over the bar. But not at his best. 7
* TIAGO
More of a forward presence that usual. Used the ball well but lacks pace and conviction. 7
* JOE COLE
Pick of Chelsea's attack. Creative and direct he also remained disciplined throughout. 8
* DIDIER DROGBA
An aerial, physical handful. Good contest with Liverpool's defenders. But he still misses too many changes. 7
* EIDUR GUDJOHNSEN
Back in forward line until after the hour. Held position well. Disciplined if unspectacular. 7
SUBSTITUTES
* ARJEN ROBBEN (for Tiago, 59)
Added more pace and directness but still not fully fit. 7
Liverpool
* JERZY DUDEK
Had to be vigilant but, despite threat, was rarely called into action. 6/10
* STEVE FINNAN
Alert clearance from Cole early on. Tidy in distribution and disciplined. 7
* SAMI HYYPIA
Troubled by speed of Cole, aerial power of Drogba. Did not appear wholly comfortable but improved. 7
* JAMIE CARRAGHER
Strong, aggressive - but with his hands full. Could have earned first-half penalty, however. 8
* DJIMI TRAORE
Under pressure from Cole but stood up to the challenge although did look exposed. 6
* LUIS GARCIA
Threatened more than he delivered. Clever on the ball - but dived when he was challenged by Johnson in area. 6
* XABI ALONSO
Deep lying role he was smooth enough in possession without the usual killer pass. 8
* IGOR BISCAN
Defensively occupied. Struggled when going forward. Eclipsed at times. Deserved booking. 6
* JON ARNE RIISE
Carved out a brilliant first-half chance but should have attacked Johnson more. 7
* STEVEN GERRARD
Great ball for Baros header, but not the usual influence especially in his passing. Energetic. 7
* MILAN BAROS
Unlucky with his first-half header. He worked the Chelsea defence to begin with but faded before being substituted. 7
SUBSTITUTES
* DJIBRIL CISSE (for Baros, 65)
Great early turn but shot over. Added extra pace. 7.
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Guardian:
Red resistance tips the balance
Kevin McCarra at Stamford Bridge
Thursday April 28, 2005
The Guardian
There may be only a single frenetic evening to be traversed at Anfield but the Champions League final is a speck in the distance. More nerve-ridden endeavour is certain next Tuesday and finesse will have to be introduced before one of these trenchant teams gets past the other.
This semi-final is yet to begin in earnest. A mediocre match almost tipped the balance towards Liverpool by one degree from the horizontal but Xabi Alonso's late booking for a foul on Eidur Gudjohnsen means the scales have not budged in the least. The playmaker will now be suspended.
Jose Mourinho is one of the few people who can be inspired to a bout of nostalgia by a goalless draw at home. Chelsea put Manchester United out of the League Cup after such a result this season and his Champions League-winning Porto came through the semi-final with Deportivo la Corua last year in the same manner.
His is a personal satisfaction and enjoyment was severely rationed for others. Liverpool, however, carried off some interesting nuggets of evidence. Jerzy Dudek made no noteworthy saves but Petr Cech had to pull off two for Chelsea. Mourinho had better not take for granted his team's security on Merseyside.
Placed in the context of Chelsea's meetings with Barcelona and Bayern Munich, this was a glaringly deficient game. From the Stamford Bridge perspective it was easy to identify what and whom it lacked. At 5pm Damien Duff failed a fitness test on his hamstring so comprehensively that the club must quake over his prospects of recovering for the return. Arjen Robben is in better condition but an ankle problem is causing him pain and he came on for only the last half-hour.
Liverpool for much of the season were the club undermined by injuries. A role reversal may be in process. Rafael Bentez has no cause to abandon the belief that his team will snatch the place in the final that hitherto seemed earmarked for Chelsea.
Liverpool are difficult to breach in European competition and from the outset there were sufficient overtones of the 0-0 draw with Juventus to suggest that the Stadio delle Alpi performance would be restaged here.
Mourinho's Chelsea, though, could never plod through a contest as the Serie A side had done. Though their attacks were not as deftly articulated as usual, Joe Cole realised he would have to provide the bulk of the team's runs from his flank because Gudjohnsen, on the left, always moves inside to link with the midfield.
The Icelander did release Cole with a pass that sprang the offside trap after 14 minutes but, although Didier Drogba got the break of the ball from the ensuing cross, he screwed his finish well wide.
Within five minutes a better opportunity was made on the left. When Drogba laid play out to William Gallas he worked the ball on to his right foot and flighted a deep delivery. Cole, outjumping Djimi Traore, headed down but Frank Lampard, often the midfield marksman, fired high.
Liverpool were not breathing heavily, though, and in a game of a jerky quality there were menacing lurches into Chelsea's area where Ricardo Carvalho for once did not hold sway. Gathering a pass from Alonso in the 19th minute, John Arne Riise came across the Portugal defender but, having put the ball on to his unfavoured right foot, could do no more than steer a finish which Cech dealt with. Six minutes before half-time the goalkeeper made a better save to tip away a Milan Baros header from Steven Gerrard's cross.
Liverpool are at last ready to be measured by the Chelsea standard. On this ground in November the only ambitions they had were for damage limitation before Cole's goal beat them in the Premiership fixture. In the League Cup final two months ago an immediate opener for Liverpool threw them into such confusion that they passed the ball miserably before succumbing to Chelsea.
They were more enterprising and mature here. By half-time there were valid complaints about the patchiness of the match but that met with Bentez's appreciation in a first leg that was deaf to Chelsea's demands. Robben, sore ankle or not, could not be left to convalesce in the dug-out. With defenders taking up too much of the credit, the match was in need of whatever flair his half-fit body could offer.
There was, of course, dutiful appreciation for the steadfastness of men such as Sami Hyypia. Even when he made the mistake that invited Cole to round Traore, he recovered to terminate Cole's run inside the penalty area.
Perhaps each manager was too adept at laying his plans. Lampard and Gerrard both used the ball well enough but had no scope to be overwhelming. That snuffer-out-in-chief Claude Makelele was the true lord of the midfield.
The game at Anfield must belong to whoever can ignite the evening.
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Times:
Resolute Liverpool keep Mourinho's men at bay
By Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent
Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0
CHELSEA learnt just how tough it will be to overcome Rafael Bentez's organised, committed team on a tense night in West London and they will be reminded again when the Anfield roar greets them at kick-off next Tuesday. The Kop has witnessed some famous European nights and this one promises to be one of the best.
The Liverpool fans were exultant as they left Stamford Bridge last night, but Jose Mourinho will be confident that they were celebrating prematurely. The Portuguese had prepared the Chelsea supporters for a goalless draw and so, like most of his predictions, it duly followed in last night's European Cup semi-final first leg.
A 0-0 draw at home is never a bad result in the circumstances (no away goals conceded) and so, while the Liverpool fans could celebrate a draw after three defeats by Chelsea this season, Mourinho knows that his players can thrive on the counter-attack, particularly if Arjen Robben and Damien Duff are fit to start. The absence of Xabi Alonso, who will be suspended after a late caution last night, is a huge blow for Bentez. The manager will know that the job is only half-done and the toughest part is to follow next week.
On a night when both esteemed coaches were required to choose tactics specifically for the occasion Mourinho to overcome the absence of Robben, who began on the bench, and Duff, and Bentez to negate Chelsea's expected dominance of possession Steven Gerrard was the best barometer of the constantly fluctuating fortunes.
When Liverpool were doing well, as they did in a positive opening ten minutes and shortly before half-time, the captain was heavily involved high up the pitch, almost as a striker. When they were under pressure, which was for longer periods, Gerrard was forced to drop back and help out his midfield. That was certainly the case for a 20-minute spell in the first half, when, after shaking off their early nerves, Chelsea missed a couple of wonderful chances to take the lead.
Perhaps it was the mantle of favourites that inhibited Mourinho's men at kick-off. Or maybe it was the knowledge that, with Duff injured and Robben held back until the second half, this was the first time in seven months, FA Cup ties apart, that they had gone into a game without either of their most penetrative players.
Eidur Gudjohnsen was the man to suffer in Mourinho's reshuffle, surrendering his position on the right of midfield to Tiago and moving out to a less familiar role on the left. Joe Cole was on the opposite flank and it was the England player who led Chelsea out of the jitters, creating a good chance for himself in the eleventh minute only to snatch at the shot, and then, soon after, crossing to Didier Drogba. Another ungainly effort followed.
Bentez must have started to become a little fearful, although just as the pressure mounted, Alonso chipped a superb pass to John Arne Riise. The midfield player turned inside past Ricardo Carvalho and John Terry, but Petr Cech, magnificent yet again, was equal to the Norwegian's right-foot shot from ten yards.
Back came Chelsea and, when Cole's header set up Frank Lampard for a free swing at goal from six yards out, a goal seemed inevitable. As Jerzy Dudek spread himself, expecting to be beaten, Lampard skied his shot over the bar. A full house could hardly believe their eyes and, when the giant screen showed a replay, the crowd audibly gasped.
They did so again shortly before the interval, when Gerrard arrowed a wonderful cross on to the head of Milan Baros. The striker's glance was perfect, testing the Chelsea goalkeeper to the limit, but again Cech was equal to the task to confirm that he is already the Premiership's best goalkeeper after one season.
It was a decent chance for Liverpool but, with Claude Makelele gaining the upper hand in his duel with Gerrard, they were harder to come by. Chelsea were turning the screw, pressing the visiting team deeper into their own half, although they were still snatching at their own opportunities. Cole infuriated his team-mates when, having evaded a couple of tackles with a lovely piece of skill, he shot for goal when there was an obvious pass.
Mourinho sent on Robben for Tiago and Mateja Kezman for the tiring Cole to increase Liverpool's defensive workload, but the back line that had performed so heroically in Turin in the quarter-final second leg was still standing firm for Bentez. Despite their shooting chances, none better than Lampard's in the first half, Dudek had not been forced to make a save in the Liverpool goal, which was probably just as well.
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Sun:
Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0
By SUN ONLINE REPORTER
AFTER all the fanfare and promises, we were robbed.
The Premi-final blockbuster failed to live up to its star billing as the Champions League turned into the Chumps League.
Where were semi-final headliners Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard?
Even the young gunslinger Jose Mourinho refused to gamble by playing Arjen Robben after Damien Duff failed a fitness test.
So it will now be winner takes all in next week's second leg for a place in the final.
We can only hope the second match will be worthy of a game of this magnitude.
Mourinho knows that his side could make away goals count double at Anfield.
But Reds boss Rafa Benitez will be happy with this draw and knows he edged the tactical battle at Stamford Bridge.
Joe Cole tried his best to influence proceedings in the first half but again he could not quite find the finishing touch to match his mesmerising approach play.
The England midfielder was involved in the first decent passage of play after eight minutes as his burst and cross down the right tried to find Eidur Gudjohnsen. But Steve Finnan headed to safety.
Cole then had the first shot on target as he ran on to Lampard's searching pass and took advantage of a slip by Sami Hyypia.
But the left-footed effort was weak and straight at Jerzy Dudek.
Soon after, Didier Drogba went down theatrically in the box under pressure from Hyypia. But referee Alain Sars was having none of it.
Cole was involved again as Drogba missed a sitter. The Ivory Coast hitman spun away from Finnan after Cole's centre, but with only Dudek to beat, he pulled his shot horribly wide with Gudjohnsen unable to convert as he stretched in the six-yard box.
At the other end, John Arne Riise fashioned Liverpool's first opening with a lovely touch to beat Ricardo Carvalho. But he was forced on to his weaker right foot and Petr Cech saved easily.
Lampard should have put Chelsea ahead on 22 minutes. William Gallas broke down the left and Cole nodded down his centre for Lampard six yards out, but he blazed his volley over.
Chelsea were building the pressure and Lampard had a shot and free-kick both deflected for corners.
Djimi Traore had time to settle the Reds down but he went for goal and his shot ended up as a throw-in.
Luis Garcia then skipped past Carvalho on the edge of the box before Glen Johnson got in a crucial touch as the Spaniard tumbled over his leg.
Garcia tried his luck from 30 yards out but again it was a waste before Gerrard played his one meaningful ball of the night.
He swung in a wicked cross from the right and Milan Baros headed towards the far corner only for Cech to earn his money with a superb one-handed save.
Two minutes before the break, Lampard found Tiago on the right corner of the Liverpool penalty area.
His shot was blocked by Traore and fell to John Terry, who did not get enough on the ball and it bobbled wide.
Cole started off well again in the second half and he beat Hyypia down the right wing. But as he skipped past Traore, Hyypia made a well-timed recovery tackle to snuff out the danger.
Cole was first in the book for losing a 50-50 challenge to Traore, before Arjen Robben was introduced for Tiago.
And Dutchman Robben was immediately in the action with a corner which found Terry's head although it drifted well wide.
Benitez made his own change as Djibril Cisse replaced Baros and his first effort after a flowing move was high and wide.
Dudek had a scary moment on 76 minutes when Cole's throughball rolled to the Polish stopper and he slipped before getting up to recover.
Mateja Kezman replaced Cole and straight away he was yellow-carded for a tackle from behind on Traore.
Xabi Alonso suffered agony when he hauled down Gudjohnsen on the break to earn a caution and he now misses the return leg.
Harry Kewell and Vladimir Smicer came on for Liverpool to run the clock down.
Gerrard eyed glory a minute from time as he ran on to a quick free-kick but his effort sailed miles wide to sum up a frustrating evening for the Reds skipper.
Carvalho had to concede a corner in injury-time as Cisse bore down on goal. But it came no nothing as the teams settled for a draw.
DREAM TEAM STAR MAN
JAMIE CARRAGHER (Liverpool)
Chelsea: Cech 8, Johnson 7, Terry 7, Carvalho 6, Gallas 6, Tiago 7 (Robben 6), Lampard 7, Makelele 6, Cole 7 (Kezman 5), Drogba 5, Gudjohnsen 5. Subs: Smertin, Geremi, Cudicini, Forssell, Huth. Booked: Kezman, Cole.
Liverpool: Dudek 6, Finnan 6, Carragher 8, Hyypia 7, Traore 6, Riise 7, Alonso 6, Gerrard 7, Biscan 7 (Kewell 5), Garcia 7 (Smicer 5), Baros 6 (Cisse 6). Subs: Le Tallec, Nunez, Carson, Warnock. Booked: Biscan, Alonso.
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Telegraph :
Liverpool keep Chelsea in check
By Henry Winter
(Filed: 28/04/2005)
Match details
In pictures: Champions League action
In pictures: Route to the semis
Chelsea (0) 0 Liverpool (0) 0
Liverpool left Stamford Bridge last night delighting in this draw, their fans chanting "Rocking all over the World", yet with Rafael Benitez and his players mindful of Chelsea's ability to score an away goal.
Aerial battle: Didier Drogba and Jamie Carragher at Stamford Bridge
Anfield has witnessed some memorable European evenings, from the visits of St-Etienne to Olympiakos, and next Tuesday promises to be another epic.
Benitez's side performed impressively here, sticking rigidly to his canny strategy of containment and counter-attack. Liverpool will need to open up more at Anfield and Chelsea will believe that they can score, particularly with Arjen Robben gaining in sharpness.
The one real frustration of the night for Liverpool was an unfortunate caution for the superb Xabi Alonso for a challenge on Eidur Gudjohnsen. The booking precludes the involvement of this deft, play-making Spaniard from the Anfield drama next week.
It was the one mistake made by Alain Sars, the French referee, who allowed a keenly fought, commendably clean game to flow, a match that saw the best contributions from those in red, like Alonso, Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher.
No feelings of inferiority had inhibited Liverpool, no alarm at the unflattering odds offered by bookmakers. Benitez has instilled a quiet belief in his players, who have responded to his clever tactical approach in Europe, a floodedmidfield policy that had drowned Juventus in the quarter-finals.
With Xabi Alonso and Igor Biscan sitting deep in front of a back four given such steely inspiration by Carragher, and Gerrard raiding to good effect, Liverpool's 4-2-3-1 approach sent shivers of concern through Chelsea in a scoreless, but absorbing first half. Frustrated by Liverpool's obduracy, Mourinho unleashed Robben and then Mateja Kezman in the second half.
Liverpool had given their fans plenty to sing about, other than the usual "You've got no history" invective towards Chelsea.
Only the remarkable reflexes of Petr Cech, who extends that huge frame so athletically and quickly, denied Liverpool a goal just before the break. Inevitably, Alonso and Gerrard were involved, the tempo-setting twosome combining out on the right, yards from their hugely vocal supporters. Alonso laid the ball off to Gerrard, who drilled over a cross towards the penalty spot.
Milan Baros, leaping well, kept the pace on the ball, but redirected it goalwards, seemingly out of the reach of even the tall Cech. Yet the Czech international thwarted his compatriot by stretching out a paw and fingertipping the ball around the post. Cech also saved well from John Arne Riise, Liverpool's hard-working left sided-midfielder who juggled the ball past Ricardo Carvalho to fashion a glimpse of goal instantly blocked by Chelsea's indomitable keeper.
Liverpool were impressing, playing without fear, allowing no Chelsea player a second of untroubled possession and clearly targeting Glen Johnson, Chelsea's defensive weak link. Gerrard was relishing the fray, thoroughly eclipsing Lampard in the opening half. Liverpool's captain adores the Champions League, spends his midweek evenings when not playing surfing the channels to catch all the early-season action from Moscow to Madrid.
As he walked down the tunnel before kick-off, this proud Merseysider looked down at the red carpet and noted the words that read "The Road to Istanbul, 2005". Some Liverpool fans even wore fezzes in anticipation. Yet John Terry, Chelsea's leader, was similarly inspired by the thought of a season's climax in Turkey. Withstanding a bruising early challenge from Baros, Terry sought to galvanise the champions elect.
So much class suffuses this team of Mourinho's. Not just Terry, the newly installed Player of the Year, but others such as Frank Lampard. Surprisingly, Chelsea seemed riven with nerves in the opening stages. Lampard, amazingly for someone so deadly this season, missed a marvellous chance from five yards after Joe Cole had brilliantly headed down William Gallas's cross. As the Shed End stood in anticipation of the usual Lampard coup de grce, the England midfielder skied the ball into the stand. Chelsea fans rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
Lampard was not the only man in blue misfiring; Drogba miscued one shot horribly wide and then a great dribble by Cole was ended by the assured Sami Hyypia as the second half unfolded.
Mourinho sought to set Liverpool a new challenge on the hour, introducing Robben for Tiago, who had stepped in when Damien Duff failed a late fitness test on his injured hamstring. Robben's arrival allowed Gudjohnsen, hitherto subdued, to move into the more central role he has excelled in recently.
Robben was soon involved, releasing Drogba down the inside-left channel, but fortunately for Liverpool, Carragher had read the Ivory Coast striker's intentions and dispossessed him with a fine tackle.
Carragher was enjoying an outstanding evening, showing all the improved positional qualities and composure to his game. Twice Kezman came arrowing into Liverpool's box, danger doubling with every stride until Carragher intervened, clearing each time.
Still the Chelsea pressure continued, wave after blue wave rolling towards to Carragher and company. When Robben whipped over a free kick, Jerzy Dudek muscled his way confidently through a crowd of players to clutch the ball. On a night of surprises, Harry Kewell joined the action late on. And so to Anfield.
Match details
Chelsea (4-1-2-2-1): Cech; Johnson, Carvalho, Terry, Gallas; Makelele; Tiago (Robben 58), Lampard; J Cole (Kezman 77), Gudjohnsen; Drogba.
Subs: Cudicini (g), Smertin, Geremi, Forssell, Huth.
Booked: Cole, Kezman.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Dudek; Finnan, Carragher, Hyypia, Traore; Alonso, Biscan (Kewell 86); Garcia (Smicer 90), Gerrard, Riise; Baros (Cisse 64).
Subs: Carson (g), Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock.
Booked: Biscan, Alonso.
Referee: A Sars (France).
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