Avram Grant needed a ticket out of any further turmoil and he got his wish through an unlikely source: Liverpool's John Arne Riise.
In a game where history has run deep between the two English giants, Chelsea and Liverpool lived up to their billing as the match ended with another dramatic finish.
A 94th minute own goal by Riise sent the Kop into a state of shock as Chelsea escaped with a 1-1 aggregate lead on away goals heading into next week's crucial second leg at Stamford Bridge.
The Norwegian international, came on for an injured Fabio Aurellio, before heading a ball cleanly past Pepe Reina after trying to clear a cross sent in by Salomon Kalou.
The blunder was an unfortunate bounce for Liverpool supporters to take as they witnessed their side taking a well-deserved lead into their second leg before Lady Luck bailed Avram Grant's side out.
Dirk Kuyt had opened the scoring for the Reds when he capitalized on an error made by Frank Lampard on the edge of the 18 yard box as he smashed a low volley through the legs of Petr Cech as Liverpool came away with a 1-0 lead heading into the half-time interval.
However, the early goal wasn't the only golden opportunity in the first half.
Steven Gerrard spotted a streaking Fernando Torres, who had a clear-cut chance to put Liverpool ahead in the 31st minute, was stopped abruptly by Cech as he parried the Spaniard's attempt on goal.
Frank Lampard did his part to contribute to his Chelsea side, after coming back from a short absence due to personal matters, when he spotted Joe Cole making a run down the flank. Unfortunately for the Chelsea and England winger, his first-time volley went harmlessly wide of Pepe Reina's goal.
As the teams regrouped from their half-time team talks, Avram Grant would once again find himself the center of attention with another suspect substitution when he brought on Salomon Kalou for Joe Cole.
The move came as a bit of a shock considering the ineffectiveness of Florent Malouda; although, he did have a decent opportunity to put Chelsea level when he had his shot deflected by Javier Mascherano against the side netting.
As for Chelsea's big man, Didier Drogba, he was often isolated from his fellow teammates in attack, and at times, seemed frustrated with the quality of service he was getting while still having to battle against the likes of Martin Skrtel and Jamie Carragher all night long. Drogba was often being knocked onto the ground and had a penalty claim denied in the first half after what seemed to be slight contact from Carragher.
Liverpool had their chances to build on their slender lead through stunning volleys from Ryan Babel and Steven Gerrard. Babel smacked a volley just wide of the post in the 59th minute where as Gerrard forced a sublime save from Petr Cech to keep Chelsea's hopes for Moscow alive.
Through the eyes of Liverpool's Xabi Alonso, he felt his side deserved a better fate after being "robbed" of a victory at the Kop.
"A draw isn't a good result, and it isn't a fair one either," said Alonso.
"I'm frustrated by this because I know we could have made the score 2-0 in the play right before their equalizer. It was unfortunate that we couldn't record a better result at home, we have to do our best to improve looking ahead to the return leg."
Perhaps karma had a role to play as Chelsea have had two unlucky decisions of their own go against them on the very same grounds of Anfield in their previous season in the Champions League.
Luis Garcia's goal of 2004/2005 is still a topic of discussion as former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho continues to believe that the ball never fully crossed the line. William Gallas, still part of Chelsea at the time, looked to have had his foot fully behind the ball when he cleared but his efforts fell in vain as the referee had other ideas.
The incident itself has brought about the need for instant replay and use of goalline technology to come into play.
And only recently, Jose Mourinho would once again fall victim to Liverpool in the Champions League after crashing out on a penalty shootout following crucial saves from Pepe Reina on Arjen Robben and Geremi.
These thoughts had probably been running through Petr Cech's mind but he insists that Chelsea created their own luck with the chances that they created.
"We've been unlucky in our last two semi-finals here," said the big goalkeeper after the game.
"This time we got a lucky goal. But to be fair, we kept playing until the very last second. We pushed—and we deserved it."
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5 months ago
nice article very succinct i do not have the patience for this type of sportswriting if you see my take on the match its perhaps a lot less dramatic as i think the match was. You actually made it sound quite exciting I thought it was more of a stalemate with speculative long passes providing the only excitement in one of the most bland offerings of the champions league so far this season
5 months ago
The ball is in Chelsea's court..
5 months ago
Nice Article, Liverpool have a weak to regroup and form a new plan.
5 months ago
Chelsea have a monster of a goalie.
If it wasn't for that one we would have won it at least 3 - 0
But and it's a big but, the unwritten law of football hits AGAIN!!
When you miss a couple of great chances yourself then the opponents
will score against you.
I'm heart broken now and I believe that we're going to win next week.
5 months ago
I was once again confused by Avram Grant's tactical impotence when he took off Joe Cole and then Michael Ballack near the end of the game. I can understand Cole's substitution, but substituting Ballack, who was a having a good game, for Anelka, who seemed to play no part in the rest of the match, befuddled me. Michael was getting some good shots on goal and probably would have put one away eventually. I will admit, Chelsea were putting some nice passing moves together near the end of the 2nd half, but Liverpool dominated everywhere else. They deserved the win and were caught by some bad luck.
2-0 at the bridge next week for Liverpool
from 5 months ago
Ballack was having a good game?>? -- He was having a shocker in my opinion. He kept giving the ball away..
I dont think Anelka even got a single touch since he came on. He was left on the bench for far too long..
As for your prediction - its a bit of a wild prediction aint it? I mean, given out record and all..
Anyway, as I said before this game, come next wednesday - may the best team win !!!
5 months ago
Cech was magnificent, and didn't deserve to lose to a goal that went through his legs. Any other goalkeeper in the World and this performance would have put Liverpool in the final. As it stands however just like Arsenal, Liverpool failed to put the tie to bed, and Chelsea I think now are certainties to lose in the final.
5 months ago
I think it would be a shocking disgrace if Chelsea went to the final because of this own goal. A bloody disgrace.
from 5 months ago
That is it !
ABSOLUTELY RIGHT MY FRIEND !
from 5 months ago
I don't understand that comment? It was Liverpools own fault they didn't win. Great piece Tim.
5 months ago
I think that Liverpool are feeling a little bit aggrieved over a win that should have gone their way, and I believe Rafa has the ability to put some fire in their bellies. 2-0 is a bit adventerous, but there's no better time than now for Liverpool to break their poor record at Stamford Bridge.
5 months ago
Riise is going, going, gone!!! He'll definitely be sold at season's end. Why any defender would stoop to head a ball at knee height is beyond me. Bring on Chelski at the Bridge. Crouch will start with Torres, like against Arsenal and the 'pool will come away with a one-nil win.
LFC versus Barca final.
5 months ago
Can I also express my disappointment with Rafa's comments on the referee. Very reminiscent of Arse-end Whinger. Riise f@#*ed up! not the ref. Had it been one-nil, would we have heard a peep out of Rafa about the ref? Emmmmm, NO!
5 months ago
It was Liverpool's fault that they didn't win? It was Riise's fault! I think that everyone agrees that Chelsea got lucky and Liverpool deserved the victory.
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