Champions League: Semi-final

Chelsea

1-0

Liverpool

Chelsea without Essien saw Obi Mikel in great plan. Chelsea played better at the first time and Reina at 7' with an excellent save avoided the goal by Lampard. However, Joe Cole scored after centre of Drogba on the right who overpassed Daniel Agger. The result was fair at the end of the first half.

The restart of the game showed a Liverpool more interested in attacking and it was the turn of Petr Čech (Chelsea) to make a great save after a kick by Gérrard. At 53' Croush entered into the game (Bellamy out) in an attempt to put more problems in defensive Chelsea's area

With Kalou in game (Chevchenko out 76') Mascherano was cautioned by the referee at 77' after a fault to avoid a dangerous attack

Last minutes Chelsea looked for a second goal and Drogba was close with a header after a corner, but the result is fair. So, Chelsea will take a slender 1-0 advantage with them when the two sides meet in the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday. Mourinho probably is satisfied with this advantage because they didn't suffer any goal tonight and that can be a precious advantage.

The referree Markus Merk was well but Xabi Alonso at 24' deserved to be caucioned with a yellow card.

Semi-finals - 25 April 2007 - Stamford Bridge - London
Referee: Markus Merk; Assistant referrees: Jan-Hendrik Salver and Carsten Kadack (Ger)

Chelsea: Cech, Paulo Ferreira, Terry, Ricardo Carvalho, Ashley Cole; Makelele, Obi Mikel, Lampard and Joe Cole (Wright-Philipps 85') ; Shevchenko (Kalou 76') and Drogba

Liverpool: Reina, John Arne, Riise Daniel, Agger Jamie, Carragher, Arbeloa, Boudewijn Zenden, Xabi Alonso (Pennant 82') Javier Mascherano, Steven Gerrard; Craig Bellamy (Crouch 51') Dirk Kuyt.

Goals: Joe Cole 29'