Chelsea Through to the CL Semi-Final 6-5 on Agg

Although Chelsea lost on the night, their superb 4-2 1st leg win at The Bridge less than a week ago was the catalyst for their progress to their second successive Champions League semi-final (in only their third outing in the competition coinciding with 100 year birthday celebrations).

Frank Lampard in the first half scored from twenty-five yards with a shot that took a wicked deflection of the hapless Lucio (remember Cole's goal from the first leg, wicked deflection off the same player) and ten minutes from time, Cole who chased a long ball right down deep near the Bayern corner flag, sent in a whipping cross for Didier Drogba (nicknamed The Flying Elephant by the German Press) to glance in a sublime header that Khan could only watch fly into his right hand side of the net.

If you are wondering why the German Press nicknamed Drogba ' The Flying Elephant' its that his home country, Ivory Coast is nicknamed 'The Elephants.' After Drogba's goal last night and one that will always be remembered back in August against the Palace, the German Press should seriously adapt the nickname, 'The Leaping Salmon.'

Jose was spotted in the Olympic Stadium heading for a comfortable seat in the stands, and then just after kick off, he was spotted getting into a Taxi allegedly heading back to the team's hotel with an accomplice. Unlike the first leg there was no sign of the 'woolly hat' one. TV pictures showed Assistant Manager, Stevie Clarke every now and again, barking out his orders. Whether the German TV producer 'was lost' on the whole episode or Sky were way over the top last week, remains to be seen. Putting JMs punishment into perspective for telling the TRUTH and getting a two match touchline ban, for which he has now served and is NOW available for the Semi-Final, all of Europe's and the World's eyes will be focussed on both UEFA and Inter Milan after the disgraceful scenes at the San Siro, in which AC Milan's 'Keeper was hit by a flare thrown by Inter fans. The game was abandoned with AC winning on the night and on aggregate and I really believe that because Inter are not a BRITISH club, UEFA will turn a blind eye in much the same way as they did when Gattuso refused to provide a specimen for a routine drug test, because he was tired and could not be bothered.

Back to Bayern Munich versus Chelsea. Munich's first equaliser came from Pizzarro, after Ballack had a header saved brilliantly by Cech who was unlucky to see the rebound hit the post and roll along the goal line before Pizzarro tapped in. In between Huth deflected a header on the bar with Cech well beaten. Then Gudjohnsen kicked off the line from another Ballack header. Bayern's second equaliser was from another tap in from Peruvian substitute Guerrero and then right on full time, after four and a half minutes of injury time, Scholl scored Bayern's third. Prior to Dorgba scoring Chelsea's second, Duff had an excellent chance to score but was denied close range by a brilliant save from Oliver Khan.

Despite losing on the night 3-2, Chelsea progressed to the semi-finals on aggregate 6-5. Amazing, absolutely amazing. In the cold light of day, although Chelsea lost on the night, after the first leg, the high scoreline is hardly surprising.

At least those folks in Norfolk can still hold a 'nice' record to their hearts. 1993 was the year and the UEFA Cup was the competition when Norwich City went to the Olympic Stadium and defeated the 'mighty' Bayern Munich 2-1. That result represents the only defeat the Munich had suffered at home in European competition.

Last night's game was the last EVER European match to be held at the Olympic Stadium. Bayern move out of the Olympic Stadium at the end of the season into a new stadium which they will share with 1860 Munich. After last night's game I feel I was born in 1860. snigger.

CHELSEA THROUGH ON AGGREGATE 6-5 and await the winners of Juventus and Liverpool.

COME ON CHELSEA!

KEEP THE BLUE FLAG FLYING HIGH!