Champions League review: Chelsea 1 - 0 Liverpool
Thursday, 26 April 07, 01:59 AM · Comments (38)
Match reports
The Guardian, Kevin McCarra: "It was a match to make grudges respectable. While Chelsea are out to avenge the loss to Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final two years ago, they were measured throughout a victory that makes them favourites to take their place in Athens on May 23. The Stamford Bridge side played cunningly on the break in a first-half that might have settled the entire tie."
The Times, Oliver Kay: "A 1-0 lead is not to be sniffed at halfway through a Champions League semi-final, but the concern for Chelsea is that they should have had more than one goal to show for their domination of an utterly one-sided first half. Liverpool were wretched during that opening period, on the ropes and ripe for a good old-fashioned pummelling, but, no sooner had Joe Cole opened the scoring in the 29th minute than Chelsea relented, retreating under the tactical security blanket that remains their greatest asset and yet also — on the rare occasions they fail — their greatest flaw."
The Independent, Sam Wallace: "The lead might be precarious but last night's finer details told a most emphatic story about Chelsea's mastery of an old foe. It was not just Joe Cole's goal that divided these two teams but a Chelsea performance that was ominously commanding for a Liverpool side who will need more than just the local passion at Anfield on Tuesday to turn this tie around."
Daily Telegraph, Henry Winter: "How Liverpool lack a centre-forward in the menacing mould of Drogba, and they need to find a greater cutting edge for the Anfield leg next Tuesday."
Daily Mail, Matt Lawton: "This time there were no "ghost goals" and there was no need to argue, either. The best team won at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night and the best team now stand within touching distance of a first Champions League final."
The goal
The good
- One-nil is a good result to take to Anfield. Score an away goal and Liverpool would need three. We are unbeaten in all competitions since losing 2-0 at Anfield on the 20th January. Twenty-two games and counting.
- The first half. Dominating, measured, and composed. If only we had converted more of the many chances we created.
- Ricardo Carvalho, Didier Drogba, and Joe Cole. The three of them were great all game but will be remembered for their brilliantly worked goal. Carvalho's surge out of defence and pinpoint pass, Drogba's power, control and perfectly weighted ball, and Joe Cole's desire and finish were a joy to behold - and had me celebrating like Lee Evans on speed. Thankfully both Drogba and Cole are available for the return leg after they avoided picking up yellow cards. (But would they miss the final - assuming we get to Athens - if booked at Anfield? Can you imagine us without Drogba? It doesn't bear thinking about.)
- The goal. The first we've scored against Liverpool in the Champions League. Five games and 28 minutes passed before the ball hit the back of their net; Liverpool have yet to hit the back of ours in this competition.
- John Obi Mikel. Did anyone notice Michael Ballack was missing? Says it all really. Even Claude Makelele had a solid game after several less than impressive performances in recent times. The two of them effectively commanded the midfield. Frank Lampard also played really well.
- Petr Cech's save from Steven Gerrard's volley. The defining moment in this semi-final?
- I thought Paulo Ferreira did admirably considering Liverpool targeted him as our weak point. A contentious decision?
- Liverpool under Rafael Benitez haven't managed to score a single goal at Stamford Bridge in the Premiership or Champions League since the Spaniard took charge in 2004.
- Markus Merk deserves a mention. Normally he's the type of European referee that drives fans to edge of insanity with constant stoppages and shrill blasts on his whistle, so much so that in the past I've found myself yelling at him to shove his whistle where the sun doesn't shine. Tonight he sensibly refereed like it was a Premiership game and only got a couple of decisions wrong (Alvaro Arbeloa's handball being the most obvious, although, unlike Jose Mourinho, I thought it was outside the penalty area).
The bad
- The second half. Why, oh why can't we produce two halves of equal quality? While we remained in control for the majority of the game, we gave Liverpool far too much possession and respect in the second half. One-nil is a good result to take to Anfield, but the fact that we didn't score more before withdrawing into our defensive shell may come back to haunt us.
- I was a tad disappointed with Andriy Shevchenko. He worked hard until the moment he was substituted, but for all that effort there was very little in the way of quality. Being asked to play wide as part of a front three hinders and wastes his goal-scoring abilities.
- How Xabi Alonso avoided at least a yellow card for his high, studs showing assault on Obi Mikel's groin I'll never know. Can you imagine the uproar in the press and from Liverpool fans if Michael Essien had committed a similar tackle?
- Jamie Carragher's constant attempts to get Drogba and Cole booked by motioning in the direction of the referee that both players were diving. Carragher epitomises the stereotype of a whinging Scouser.
- Liverpool fans. Pelted Drogba and Obi Mikel with bottles and coins when the two of them lay injured in Cech's penalty area. What's the betting the FA does sweet Fanny Adams about it? No mention of the incident in the press I've read either. One rule for us...
Man of the Match
On the basis that it's becoming all too predictable to award Man of the Match to Didier Drogba nearly every game I'm going to give it to Ricardo Carvalho, because he deserves a great deal more kudos and recognition than he currently gets.
Final thoughts
While the scoreline may not make for a comfortable 90 minutes at Anfield next Tuesday, the manner in which we achieved this win suggests Liverpool's fabled 12th man in the Kop may not be enough to tip the tie in their favour. An equally commanding performance and an early goal next week and it's Athens here we come. Let's just hope Liverpool are not gifted another "ghost goal".
Related links
Like this blog? Help spread the word: 
Reg :How Xabi Alonso avoided at least a yellow card for his high...
That was one nasty tackle filled with malice and no intent to nudge the ball away.
I can only muse on the way Obi reacted to the pain after that. He was like a fish out of water. So dramatic was the reaction from Mikel (dunno if it really hurt that much) Merk would've thought "No way i am booking...he is playacting"
And boy..that look from Cech after he made the save from Stevie wonder G.
That had goal written all over it.
What kinda indicator does one corner in the entire match and that too in the 90th give you?
The Quadruple is indeed a myth...but Athens certainly isnt!
Come on Chels!
I couldnt watch the whole game last night, oweing to playing football myself.
All in all, we looked pretty comfortable, but a nother goal to outline how dominant we were would have helped.
One question for those who saw the whole game - any idea what got up JT's nose ??? He seemed to be berating Mr Merk at the final whistle for something.....
Nick, good analysis as ever, great result. Agree Paulo F got better as the game went on. Like SWP, think alot of his probs have been down to confidence (in need of cuddle from TSO?), though one little burst in the second half just outside the chelsea box will have helped.
Hate to say it, because its become a bit of a cliche, but Sheva looked like the weak link. He's willing but does not seem up to the pace and strength of the rest of the team, especially when playing on the break. Our style of play really doesn't seem to suit him, hence some of the Roman/Jose tension I suppose.
Was in the Shed end last night for first time in a while and the atmosphere was great, especially first half.
Kept the scousers quiet. And generous of them to distribute much-needed refreshment to Obi wan and Drogs. A nice gesture. Who said there was bad blood between us?
Interesting to see what team we pick with Essien and Ballack back. Would be disappointed to say the least if Joey Cole doesn't play.
Oh, and PS, not sure how it looked on the telly, but from where we were sitting looked like Alonso was getting away with murder all night (although was great that ref was letting it flow, as Nick says). Certainly Lamps seems to have taken against the fellow.
To Jimbo,
just Alonso? it looked like all the Looserpool are out for the kill yesterday. :)
Anyone has worries that it might go to extra time? why do I have that itchy feeling?
I have to disagree with you Nick, I thought Ferreira looked suspect for the whole game, bar the mazy little run in the second half. He got skinned by Riise for Gods sake and Zenden was playing with him in my view. On one or two occasions he got some serious dead-horse looks from Riccy.
On the MOTM award, however, I am 100% behind you. Riccy was immense and although Drogs had a good game and was a pain their arse, he really should have headed the goal instead of worrying about Reina's potential fist. I also concur completely on the point of performing over both halves. Its been a trademark signature of our season and if this is a "winning economically" strategy then it damn well stinks. I turned over with 6 minutes left as I actually couldn't take any more. Don't worry I recorded it and watched it back once the result was confirmed.
On the return leg, why is the Anfield "crowd" any different to when we play them in the PL? We've coped pretty well up there under TSO bar the last game, when Riccy's late bout of flu sealed the other players mental state before we left the tunnel. I think if we have a full squad then we can either score a goal to make them have to climb a mountain or we can grind out a thoroughly dismal, mind numbing bore-draw. Mind you another 4-1 like we had in TSO Year 1 would do nicely.
It's only half time guys and gals so I'm not putting the bunting up yet, but who's in the better position, us or them? I think we all know the answer to that. In the other game I think that AC Milan will be happiest as they have 2 away goals and if you want partisan, intimidating crowds then the San Siro makes Anfield look like a library.
I thought Paulo did well.
He marshalled Zenden and Riise effectively.
In fact Riise wasn't a threat at all.
Did anyone else think JT looked a little out of sorts? Seemed to be carrying an injury to me and was struggling.
38 Comments · Add yours
Normally when I watch a live game like this one, I'm a total wreck. So I was for about ten or fifteen minutes, and then magically, the tension lifted and for the remainder of the game, I felt quite relaxed, probably in the same state as the Blues on the field - a sign we were not really put under a lot of pressure. I feel for Frank since he had two wonderful efforts, both saved in extremis by Reina. I would have put serious money on at least one going in.
If Carvalho continues like this, he'll start rivalling Drogs (who was immense, as usual) and Essien as the seasons's MVP. Even Ferreira had an excellent game. I agree with Nick that Sheva ought to be playing more centrally. He no longer seems to have the pace to outrun defenders on bursts into the area. Better he be served than server.
For all their domination in the second half, Liverpool really did not create much. One excellent save from Cech being about it. We have a good record at Anfield, and on this display, particularly since we will have the option of Essien, I am very optimistic.
I'm surprised by the positive reviews of Paulo Ferreira because I got worried every time the ball went down his side of the pitch. He's lost the ability to tackle, stands off attackers too much and leaves them with time and space to cross. I'd hope Essien is at right back next week. I also thought Ashley Cole was a bit iffy on the other side.
If we can score early next week it'll be a relaxing evening otherwise it'll be a tense affair.