There was huge late drama at Anfield in a tense game in which fluent football was at a premium. It looked like it was going to be shaded by Liverpool, whose first half goal by Dirk Kuyt gave them a narrow advantage until, in the 95th minute, John Arne Riise gifted Chelsea an equaliser with a headed own goal in their UEFA Champions League semi-final.
Riise, who has not scored for Liverpool all season, stooped low to try to clear Salomon Kalou's cross from the left, but his awkward header flew past Pepe Reina and into the top of the net – giving Chelsea an away goal they had virtually given up on getting. It could have been so different for Liverpool, had visiting goalkeeper Petr Čech not spectacularly tipped over a late Steven Gerrard drive before denying Fernando Torres seconds before the equaliser.
Chelsea, who at times looked ragged, thus have a priceless away goal to take back to Stamford Bridge. They had had some earlier chances to equalise, but Liverpool might also have scored again.
The dramatic way in which it ended leaves the tie intriguingly balanced - but just in Chelsea's favour now.
A scrambled goal by Dirk Kuyt towards he end of a tense, tight first half at Anfield put Liverpool in the driving seat in a Champions League semi-final first leg that Chelsea started the stronger. But the Blues allowed the Reds to come more and more into it and Rafa Benitez's side deserved their first half lead.(*)
source: soccermanguni
photo: gettyimages
Riise Gifts Chelsea An Equaliser
Liverpool Edge Arsenal In Round One
The hosts had the best of the play, and the best of the chances, but a backs-to-the-wall performance from brave Liverpool saw them maintain an advantage...
Liverpool managed a quick Dirk Kuyt equaliser to match Adebayor's early strike, and although they were to find themselves dominated for huge spells of the game, they left with a priceless advantage.It was a cagey start from both sides with nerves perhaps the dominant attribute - nobody wanted to concede the early goal.
However, Arsenal began to establish a passing rhythm, and with the Reds' (playing in black) defensive midfield not quite into the game just yet, they had plenty of space to exploit in the middle.Clichy and Fabregas were particularly active, but despite the positive look to their overall play, there was little end product.
At the other end Gerrard was able to beat Almunia with a rather tame cross which eventually met Hyypia, but the Finn, with plenty of time, blasted his shot to a wayward nowhere.
Eventually, though, there was to be a breakthrough. However, it came not from silky passing play, but instead a set piece.
After Van Persie won a corner off Reina, in came the ball from the Dutchman, and Emmanuel Adebayor dropped off the goalline, got in between the centre-backs, and rose unmarked to head home. A simple goal - a well-executed one, but simple - and Liverpool were in trouble.
But no sooner had the Merseysiders kicked off than they'd put the ball in the net.(*)
source: goal.com
Draw, Hyypiä was satisfied
"Of course the away goal we got here is a good thing and the draw, so if we win at Anfield we are through," he said.
Dirk Kuyt bundled Steven Gerrard's low cross over the line for Liverpool's equaliser on 26 minutes, shortly after Emmanuel Adebayor had headed Arsenal in front. The speed with which Liverpool hit back was an indication of the character running through Rafael Benítez's side, but Hyypiä believes Arsenal should have been prevented from taking the lead in the first place. (*)