Buzzin Football Blog

Last night Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-2 (4-3 on aggragate) at Stamford Bridge to book their place in the UEFA Champions League Final in Moscow where they will face Man Utd on Wednesday 21st May.

Chelsea began the brighter and deserved a 1-0 lead at half-time thanks to a Didier Drogba.

Drogba appeared pumped up for the game, which probably had something to do with Rafa Benitez’s pre-match psychology, accusing Drogba of diving and feigning injury.  He went as far to say he has kept a dossier on Drogba’s antics.  It was notable that Drogba had stayed on his feet more than in recent matches.  That is until he gave a special celebratory dive in front of Benitez and the Liverpool bench - fantastic!

In the second half Chelsea allowed Liverpool back in the game by defending too deep and being unable to retain possession.  Eventually they paid the price, as Fernando Torres equalised.

The score remained 1-1 and looked likely to go to penalties until Sami Hyypia tripped Michael Ballack in the penalty area.  A clear penalty, which Frank Lampard stepped up to make the score 2-1.  Nicolas Anelka was brought on for extra time and it was his pass that found Drogba to make it 3-1 on the night and 4-2 overall.  That appeared to be seeing Chelsea through until Ryan Babel (on for Fernando Torres) scored with a long range shot to make it 3-2 with a couple of minutes of extra time still to play.  One more goal and Liverpool would win the tie.

The penalty meant so much to Frank Lampard whose mother Pat dies only six days ago.  He appeared to single out his father, the former West Ham and England player and coach, Frank Lampard sr as he kissed his black arm and raised it to the heavens.

Chelsea held on but it was certainly squeeky bum time for blues fans.

After the game Avram Grant fell to his knees on the side of the pitch and he too looked to the heavens.  In the post-match interview he explained, like Frank Lampard it had not been an easy day for him to concentrate on a game of football either because it was Holocaust Day in Israel, a day of remembrance.  Grant spoke emotionally of his father and his love for his grandfather who was a victim of the Nazi Holocaust.

So the first all-England UEFA Champions League Final will be held on 21st May in Moscow and be between the top two sides in the Premiership - Chelsea and Manchester United.  Let’s hope it will be a cracking open game with plenty of goals.

Will this be Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba’s last game for Chelsea?  Will Chelsea be crowned the champions of Europe for the first time in their history?  Or will Man Utd win for the third time?