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Chelsea are through to the Champions League semi-finals after a
4-4 home draw – 7-5 on aggregate – against Liverpool at Stamford
Bridge.
An incredible game in West London saw Chelsea and Liverpool
share eight goals, as The Reds threw away a two goal lead, but then
rallied only for the home side to respond in kind and progress
through to a semi-final meeting with Barcelona.
On the 25 occasions that an away team have won the first leg of
a Champions League fixture, only once has a team failed to
progress.
Liverpool nearly made it two.
If Liverpool dominated the first half against a nervy looking
Chelsea side, then the second half, if not belonging to the home
side, they showed great character in taking the game to the
visitors.
When Fernando Torres missed an early chance it seemed as if
Liverpool would struggle to score the three goals necessary to
progress into the semi-finals of the Champions League.
But Chelsea seemed uncertain how to cope with a 3-1 first leg
lead and handed the initiative to the Reds.
On 19 minutes Liverpool pulled a goal back with an audacious
free kick from Aurelio.
With Chelsea stopper Petr Cech expecting a conventional delivery
he left his post unmarked and the Brazilian drove home from 25
yards.
Nine minutes later and the visitors had deservedly drawn level
on aggregate.
This time Aurelio's free kick drifted into the penalty area and
Ivanovic is spotted by Spanish referee Luis Medina holding down
Alonso – penalty.
Alonso sends Cech the wrong way and blasts Liverpool two goals
to the good.
Still Chelsea failed to respond and on the stroke of half time
the Reds almost get a third.
First, Dirk Kuyt's header is clawed away by Cech, then when the
ball is returned a goalmouth scramble ensues which the home side
are fortunate to escape without conceding.
Within a minute of the restart and Cech raced out of his goal
almost gifting a chance to Liverpool.
But then Chelsea began to claw their way back.
On 50 minutes Anelka's low cross was met with the faintest of
touches by Didier Drogba and keeper Reina fumbled the ball over the
line.
A thunderbolt free kick from Alex brought Chelsea level as
Liverpool began to wilt.
Then, when Frank Lampard put Chelsea ahead with 15 minutes
remaining it seemed as if Liverpool were down and out.
Yet this game still had more twists to come.
Lucas shot from distance took a deflection and it was now
3-3.
Two minutes later and Liverpool were back in front; Riera
crossed and Kuyt powered home a header.
With eight minutes remaining The Reds just needed to score one
more time to knock Chelsea out at the quarter final stage.
But it was Frank Lampard who had the final say, as Liverpool
pushed forward, Chelsea broke quickly and Lampard curled in his
second of an unbelievable night to make it 4-4.
Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink admitted harsh words were said at half
time.
"We got angry, and why not?
"We only started playing just before the break. A few tactical
tweaks were necessary but mainly we gave Liverpool too much
respect.
"That's what I liked about the second half, the way the team
reacted.
"We sat too far back defensively and asked for problems which we
got."
Liverpool chief Rafa Benitez was proud of his team and
supporters.
"We are disappointed to score four goals away in an unbelievable
game and not get anything.
"I'm disappointed for the player's and for the fans.
"When we scored the second goal I had confidence, but there was
no rush to score a third goal.
"Even when they scored we still controlled things but against
top class players if you make a mistake you get punished, and
that's what happened."
