Buzzin Football

It has almost become a given that Chelsea will be drawn to play Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League knock out stage.  But where their previous encounters have been somewhat dull affairs decided by the odd goal and more akin to a strategic chess match than an exciting game of football, last night’s second leg at Stamford Bridge is probably one of the most exhilirating games I have ever seen in the Champions League.

Chelsea stunned Liverpool and surprised everyone else by winning 3-1 at Anfield last week, after going a goal behind after just 5 minutes; and though John Terry was to miss the second leg, I didn’t hear anyone giving Liverpool a realistic chance of scoring three goals without reply.

When the teams were announced there was further disappointment for Liverpool fans as their talisman Steven Gerrard was not even sitting on the bench.

What followed was, as Jimmy Greaves would say, a game of two halves.  In the first half Chelsea looked complacent and didn’t appear to have any desire to take the game to Liverpool.  Didier Drogba spent most of the first half falling over – I hate it when players of his ability cheat – and Petr Cech looked as nervous as a worm in a trout farm.

Liverpool scored twice in the first half with a cheeky, inventive free-kick from Fabio Aurelio and a penalty by Xabi Alonso, stunning Chelsea and setting up a great game of football.

Guus Hiddink said an angry half-time team talk was enough to shake Chelsea into life.

In the second half they scored twice to put them back in control of the tie with an awesome thunderbolt free-kick from Alex and a goal from captain Frank Lampard.  And though Rafa Benitez must have thought it was all over at that stage, by substituting Fernando Torres, both Chelsea and Liverpool had got the bit between their teeth and played out an exciting game of ‘end to end’ football that was a great showcase for both the Champions League and the Premiership.

The end result was an amazing 4-4.  The other second half goals were scored by Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard (Chelsea) & Lucas and Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool). A staggering 12 goals were scored over the two legs, as Chelsea went through 7-5 on aggregate to meet Barcelona in the semi-finals, after Bayern Munich could only draw 1-1 in their second leg (Barcelona won 5-1 on aggregate).

Tonight I expect Arsenal and Manchester United to go through to set up another all English tie.  If so, let’s hope it is as exciting and open a game of football as was played at Anfield and Stamford Bridge.