Champions League QF 2nd Leg: Chelsea 4 (7) 4 (5) Liverpool
Barca He We Come
By Since66
April 15 2009
Where do you start picking the bones out of that from last night - The Greatest European Game of All Time? - will do for a start. Or howabout I didn't toddle off to the boudoir till after 3.30 this morning. I mean how the hell can you go to bed at a sensible time after that fare served up.
What a night. Not just for Chelsea, not just for Liverpool, but for the millions at home watching on the telly and of course UEFA who must be rubbing their hands with glee that a match with two rivals who know each other too well, could provide a thrilling ninety minutes any European night could bring.
Well lets start on to getting to the game. I had this premonition that Liverpool would score first and then get a second. After that, all premonitions stopped - this is Chelsea after all. THE GLORIOUS UNPREDICTABILITY!!
But I knew Chelsea would score, the first goal of the game would have been nice, not the third.
Even when the news filtered through that Gerrard was out, his absence didn't change my demeanour.
The utmost credit must be given to Benitez and his team. They were the quickest out of the blocks and were 2-0 up before the half hour mark.First, Cech leaving a gap as wide as the Dartford Tunnel, allowed an Aurelio free-kick to whizz past him then after Alonso was held back in the area by Ivanovic, Alonso coolly despatched the penalty at the Matthew Harding end of The Bridge.
Liverpool's dream miracle looked on. Chelsea looked dazed, down and out.
Thank God for half-time. Hiddink gave his men a 'right good kicking' and within five minutes of the second-half restarting Drogba nipped in from an Anelka cross to make it 2-1 on the night, 4-3 on agg.
Six minutes later, Alex equalised with a stunner of a free-kick. 2-2, 5-3 on agg. Now it was Liverpool's turn to be dazed, down and out. Not at all, Liverpool came back and created chances of their own causing shredded nerves around the Blue flags flying high.
Ballack should have buried Liverpool and put the tie beyond doubt, but he shot weakly allowing Reina to save. Fifteen minutes from time Super Frank swept home - 3-2, 6-3 on agg. Let the party begin!!
No! Get out of here! Back came Liverpool again, first Lucas scored via a deflection from Essien and then a minute later Kuyt headed home from close range. Eight minutes to go, Liverpool needed just one more goal. 3-4, 6-5 on agg.
Essien cleared off the line at 3-4. Two minutes from time, Super Frank swept the ball home of both posts and Chelsea had crossed the finish line.
Liverpool, thank you for shredding my nerves. Chelsea, thank you for being Chelsea, I just wouldn't want it any other way.
The Greatest European Game of All Time? I think so.
Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Alex, Carvalho, A Cole, Ballack, Essien, Kalou (Anelka 35), Lampard (c), Malouda, Drogba (Di Santo 93)
Goals: Drogba 50, Alex 56, Lampard 75, 88
Booked: Ivanovic 18, Carvalho 58, Cole 65
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa (Babel 84), Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio, Mascherano (Riera 69), Alonso, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres (Ngog 79), Benayoun
Goals: Aurelio 18, Alonso 27 (pen), Lucas 80, Kuyt 82.
Booked: Benayoun 40, Arbeloa 73
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:http://vids.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=vids.individual&VideoID=55812363
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You are right about the previous 'dour' encounters.
This though was the best of the bunch and if a DVD comes out, it should be a best seller.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
We asked for it in the first half. We played far too deep. We weren´t in the match,made far too many errors and Liverpool could only accept the invitation and take advantage.
Amazing 2nd half. 4 goals from us but Liverpool kept going and kept the outcome reasonably uncertain. Fightback spirit from Liverpool and superb resilience from us - both teams should be commended.
Valdano can lick the s.h.i.t off that stick of his and Platini knows what he can do.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
cheers Paul
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
Great night all round
Wembley here we come.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
What an extra-special night for you!
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
.
"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
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"It is born out of hypocrisy and fundamental insecurity. There have been two kids on the block for the past 12 years. Suddenly, there is a third and that one is threatening to be more successful than the others and they don’t like it." P Kenyon.
Jimmy was non-plussed and he was graceful in his reprise
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free