Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1 - Advantage Blues after Riise's late own goal

Filed in archive Champions League on April 23, 2008

In a game that was every bit as tense and intense as anticipated, Liverpool held the advantage until the 95th minute when an excellent ball into their box by Chelsea substitute Kalou was headed into his own net by the unfortunate Riise.

Dirk Kuyt had given Liverpool a lead they probably just about deserved two minutes before half time and Liverpool were made to pay for one or two other chances thay failed to take.

Chelsea started the game well and Joe Cole should have done better when he was brilliantly found by Frank Lampard in the Liverpool penalty area. Liverpool gradually got back into the game and Kuyt should have opened the scoring but his first touch let him down and allowed Cech to get to the ball before him.

A great pass from Steve Gerrard put Torres in one on one with Cech and the watching world were on the phone to their bookmakers trying to put their house on the fact that he would score. Another poor first touch allowed Cech to close the gap and he saved Torres' subsequent effort. Nine times out of ten this season that would have been 1-0 to Liverpool.

Liverpool finally took the lead when Frank Lampard dithered on the ball on the edge of the Chelsea area and was dispossessed. Mascherano totally shanked his attempted cross but it fell to Kuyt who held off Makelele and finished well past Cech.

Liverpool started the second half well and could have increased their lead but Chelsea finished the stronger and managed to get the equaliser with the last touch of the game.

We are not really any closer to finding out who will make the final but the tie has definitely tilted in Chelsea's favour. They celebrated the final whistle as though they had won and Liverpool sank to their knees in dejection. The lateness of the goal could have a significant psychological effect.

After the game Rafa Benitez said that he was disappointed with the referee who added only one minute at the end of the first half and four minutes at the end of the game. I'm not sure where he is coming from with that one as I could have told him that would happen before the game! Isn't that what happens in every match?