Chelsea Advantage Over Liverpool
Joe Cole Goal Gives Chelsea Lead for Anfield Clash in CL Semi-Final
Chelsea scored an important first half goal to ensure victory over Liverpool in their semi-final clash at Stamford Bridge. The return game is now delicately balanced.
Chelsea take a single goal advantage into the second leg of their Champions League tie against Liverpool. The goal scored by Joe Cole after half an hour at Stamford Bridge is the first goal Chelsea have scored against Liverpool in European competitions.
Chelsea started the game without Michael Ballack who was injured and the suspended Essien but had Ricardo Carvalho available after injury. Liverpool were without defender Steve Finnan through injury and had Bolo Zenden playing on the left side of midfield. Rafa Benitez selected Craig Bellamy and Dirk Kuyt as his strike partnership.
This game didn’t match last night’s semi-final clash for flowing exciting football as both teams sought to test each other out. Chelsea played the better football in the first half and were rewarded with their goal but Liverpool showed more forward threat after half-time as they sought an equaliser and the all important away goal.
Only recently has Joe Cole recovered from his long term injury problem but in the short time he has been available to Chelsea he has had a considerable influence on the team’s Champions League aspirations. His second half introduction against Valencia in the second leg of the quarter-final tie helped to revitalise Chelsea as they successfully came from a goal behind to win through to this stage.
His goal against Liverpool came from a cross by Didier Drogba and was suitable reward for the team’s domination of the first half. Important saves from goalkeeper Pepe Reina kept Liverpool in the game during that first half but after the interval the away team showed more attacking threat. Peter Crouch replaced Craig Bellamy as Liverpool searched for an away goal. It was now time for the Chelsea goalkeeper, Petr Cech, to show his worth and keep the visitors at bay.
Both goalkeepers had to make important saves as the game went on and Liverpool maintained the pressure on Chelsea’s defence without really creating any clear cut chances.
Not a game full of excitement and thrills but both teams played in a very professional and controlled manner. As with last night’s game both sides will consider themselves in a good position to progress to the Final in Athens. Chelseawith the single goal advantage ensured that Liverpool didn’t score an away goal and they won’t consider the away game at Anfield as a major problem. Chelsea will set themselves up to produce a result and usually are quite capable of achieving that aim.
Liverpool, on the other hand, will think that being a goal behind means they have a good opportunity to succeed as their home record is so impressive and they are the last side to inflict a defeat on the London side. However, Liverpool will go into the game next Tuesday evening with one concern - if Chelsea manage to score an away goal, the complexion of the game will change completely and give the visitors a massive advantage..
Which teams will contest the Champions League Final in Athens? It could possibly be an all English final – Manchester United against Chelsea – and so keeping up their battle on three fronts. However, by the time of the Final in mid-May, the outcome of the Premiership title race and the FA Cup Final will be known. Will one of those teams be going for the clean sweep? The next few weeks will be very interesting.
