Chelsea into first Champions League Final after pulsating 3-2 win
Chelsea were aiming for their first Champions League final while Liverpool were looking to make it eight as they met in the semifinal at Stamford Bridge.
Early in the match it was Chelsea who applied the pressure on the Liverpool defence. In the 19th minute Drogba missed a good opportunity.
In the 22 minute Liverpool were forced to make a change as Martin Škrtel went off injured. He was replaced by Hyypiä.
Chelsea fans were cheering loud on 33 minutes as Drogba slammed home a goal following a save from Reina that fell at the feet of Drogba. Chelsea were now up 2-1 on aggregate.
Liverpool had not scored at Stamford Bridge since Rafael Benitez took the helm at Liverpool, they now had to score to survive.
That man Torres did it again for Liverpool as he scored in the 64th minute to level the tie. Good lead up work by Yossi Benayoun as he beat 4 defenders assisted Torres.
Fulltime came with the scores locked at 1-1.
In extra time Chelsea took the early advantage following a foul on Ballack by Hyypiä, right on the edge of the penalty box. This was not a clear cut foul but in the mind of referee Roberto Rosetti it was.
Frank Lampard stepped up to convert the penalty at 8 minutes. He sent Reina the wrong way. It was an emotional moment for the Chelsea player as he appeared to dedicate the goal to his mother who recently passed away.
In a shattering blow to Liverpool, Drogba scored his second goal just before the end of the first period of extra time. A good run down the right by former Liverpool player Nicolas Anelka saw him cut the ball back to Drogba who blasted the shot past Reina.
We all knew Liverpool would not give in and a longe range goal by Babel with three minutes left made for an exciting end to the match. Sadly for Liverpool fans the players could not pull off another miracle. A draw would have seen Liverpool through.
Fulltime was signalled and the Chelsea players and fans were rejoicing as Chelsea qualified for their first ever Champions League final after the 3-2 win. It was 4-3 on aggregate for Chelsea.
The final will be played in Moscow on May 21. It is an all England affair as Manchester United yesterday defeated Barcelona 1-0 to take their place in the final.
Manchester United and Chelsea are also the top two teams in the English Premier League. For one team it may be a Premier League and Champions League double.
Manchester United almost have the Premier League title in the bag
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