Liverpool ascendant


Liverpool sit on an early 1-0 lead to win their Champions League semi-final and advance to their first final in 20 years.

Liverpool come out charging, and in only the fourth minute, Baros runs onto a ball in the box, Cech charges out, upending him, but Baros managed to move the ball forward, and Garcia got a piece of it, sending it into the goal mouth. It appears suspended in air above the goal line before a defender hoofs it clear, but it appears to have crossed into the goal, and Liverpool have a perfect start to their home leg. It may well have been a penalty, but I think not, since Baros had passed the ball on before he was hit. It looks on the replay to have been close but probably across the goal line. Liverpool have taken advantage of Chelsea's recent cautious starts in games. Liverpool has the early control, but after 15 minutes it's a more balanced affair. Gerrard and Carragher are playing well for Liverpool, but Drogba is not doing for Chelsea what he did in the first game, harassing the Liverpool defense in the box. In the 24th, Garcia gives the ball away in a dangerous spot just outside the box, but Cole misses. Much of the game now is being played in the center third of the field as both sides slow down and tighten their marking. As the half ends, it is clear that Liverpool are mostly defending, and Chelsea send attack after attack at them.Traore is playing better this week than last, and his defending is keeping Liverpool safe.
Chelsea continue with the bulk of the possession in the second half, but are unable to penetrate the Liverpool 18-yard box. In the 67th, a Liverpool free kick forces a great save from the untested Dudek. Chelsea, now looking a bit desperate, bring in Kezman and Dudek in the 68th. Mourinho, who arrived with an almost imperial bearing after having said he was a "special" manager, is beginning to sweat. Chelsea are pouring forward, Liverpool is content to clear anywhere. The Liverpool counter-attack is revving up, though, and frankly they appear more likely to score than Chelsea. Cisse has two good chances as the clock ticks away. Nail-biting on a massive scale is seen at Anfield, since a Chelsea goal would allow them to advance on the tie due to the away-goals rule. In the 6th minute of injury time, a rebound falls to Gudjohnsen just five yards out, but he misses wide. Benitez, who's team is about to go through and has remained tense but quiet on the sidelines, is screaming wildy for the final 10 minutes, about who knows what. Then, after an excruciating period of extra time, it's over. Liverpool, who almost owned the Champions League in the late 70s and early 80s, are going to the final in Turkey. Well, isn't that special?

Posted: Wed - May 4, 2005 at 09:26 AM          

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