[lfc-news] Chelsea report - PA

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PA Sport, 27 April 2005
Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0

The ego has landed - for now. Jose Mourinho may claim to be "special"
but, at least until next week's return Champions League encounter,
Rafael Benitez has proved his equal on the European stage.

Mourinho, last year's Champions League winner with Porto, had joked that
his ego has expanded this season amid further domestic success with Chelsea.

However, Benitez, who claimed last season's UEFA Cup trophy with
Valencia, also has a rich European pedigree.

And even amid an all-English Champions League semi-final first leg at
Stamford Bridge, there was enough Spanish nous and bravado to match the
Portuguese extravagance and showmanship.

For even though Liverpool had lost all three previous meetings with
Chelsea this season - twice in the league and once in the Carling Cup
final - they still bridged the 31-point Premiership gulf.

Of course, it could all change at Anfield. After all, Chelsea were held
to a goalless draw in their Carling Cup semi-final first leg by
Manchester United, and they still prevailed.

However, while Frank Lampard spurned one clear chance, Chelsea were
indebted to goalkeeper Petr Cech for saving them from defeat with two
superb reaction saves.

It was still by no means a classic. Far from it, in fact. But as
Liverpool fans taunted "you've got no history", their team at least
proved they could still have a future.

Although the Reds have been frustratingly inconsistent this season,
losing at Crystal Palace just four days earlier, when Europe calls -
even in London - they have so far risen to the occasion.

As for Chelsea, they may have already won the Carling Cup and be poised
for success in the Barclays Premiership, but the Champions League is
proving a rather tougher nut to crack.

There was certainly an element of Continental caution in the air at
Stamford Bridge, with Didier Drogba and Milan Baros respectively playing
up front on their own.

With Arjen Robben initially kept on the bench and Damien Duff injured,
Chelsea lacked natural width and while Drogba still managed to muscle
his way through the centre, he dragged his shot wide.

Liverpool, meanwhile, looked to exploit Glen Johnson's defensive
weaknesses and John-Arne Riise was pushed well forward as a result.

Indeed, when the Norway international skipped past Ricardo Carvalho and
John Terry, he was only foiled by Cech's first vital reaction save.

Cech was even more inspired just before half-time when he produced an
exceptional one-handed save at full stretch to tip Baros' header around
the post from Steven Gerrard's cross.

In between, Chelsea threatened themselves, albeit rather more
ponderously than normal and they lacked their usual sharpness on the
counter-attack.

When William Gallas provided some much-needed width, his deep cross was
headed down by Joe Cole and Lampard swivelled six yards out but promptly
blazed his half-volley over the bar.

Drogba headed over the top, with Terry mishitting an effort wide, but a
Liverpool defence marshalled by the excellent Jamie Carragher were
holding firm.

Indeed, while Cole jinked round two defenders after the restart, Sami
Hyypia recovered just in time to stop him in his tracks.

It was therefore no surprise to see Robben emerge from the bench with 58
minutes gone to replace Tiago.

The Dutch winger was quickly in the thick of the action, although
Benitez responded by throwing on Djibril Cisse for Baros and the
Frenchman immediately rifled a shot over the crossbar.

Liverpool were comfortably holding their own and Mourinho turned to
Mateja Kezman, replacing Cole.

It made little difference. Indeed, his main impact came in being booked
within a minute of his arrival for a needless foul on Djimi Traore, as
the frustration levels grew in the Chelsea ranks.

Xabi Alonso still paid a heavy price for a tackle from behind on
Gudjohnsen in the closing stages, ruling him out of the second leg at
Anfield.

Chelsea, however, now face a real test of their progress under Mourinho.
The treble is still potentially on but Liverpool in the Champions League
are clearly a different prospect than in the Premiership.

Chelsea: Cech, Gallas, Johnson, Carvalho, Terry, Cole (Kezman 79),
Gudjohnsen, Lampard, Makelele, Tiago (Robben 59), Drogba
Subs not used: Cudicini, Forssell, Geremi, Huth, Smertin
Booked: Cole, Kezman

Liverpool: Dudek, Carragher, Finnan, Hyypia, Traore, Alonso, Biscan
(Kewell 86), Gerrard, Luis Garcia (Smicer 90), Riise, Baros (Cisse 66)
Subs not used: Carson, Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock
Booked: Biscan, Alonso

Att: 40,497
Referee: Alain Sars (France)

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