We're Off To Cardiff For The FA Cup Final In May!!!
Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Starting as the underdogs in this match, Liverpool took a 2-0 lead before holding on to their one-goal advantage to win this vital match 2-1 and book their place in the FA Cup Final in the Millenium Stadium in Cardiff. Goals from John Arne Riise and Luis Garcia silenced the Chelsea crowd and left Jose Mourinho stunned as Liverpool took the game to Chelsea and dominated the soon-to-be-crowned Premier League Champions for over 60 minutes.
Liverpool, fielding a full-strength side, started the match very brightly against Chelsea, with Kewell flashing a cross across the face of Chelsea's goal just after 5 minutes. Chelsea, fielding an interesting choice of midfield (leaving their prominent wingers Damien Duff, Joe Cole and Arjen Robben on the bench), rarely threatened Liverpool as Liverpool looked to control the early stages of the match.
Kewell and Riise were owning the left-hand side of Liverpool's midfield, with Kewell's brilliant play and Riise's bulldozing runs leaving Paulo Ferreira and Njitap Geremi for dead. Liverpool's first real chance came from the left-hand side, incidentally, as Alonso curled a shot that Cudicini could only parry.
Drogba then had a fabulous chance to put Chelsea ahead when he was put through one-on-one, although he looked offside. He put his shot quite wide of the post. Liverpool then responded with their first goal in the 21st minute.
A dangerous challenge by John Terry on Luis Garcia led to a free-kick on the edge of the Chelsea box. Riise took a touch to Gerrard, who rolled it back to Riise, who then curled a shot through the wall into the back of the net. It was a rather lucky goal acutally as the ball slipped through a gap that formed between Lampard and Ferreira in the Chelsea wall. Cudicini saw it and immediately complained to the two of them for their cowardice in defending the free-kick. Full credit to Riise though, his shot was well placed.
Liverpool nearly doubled their lead in the 25th minute as Kewell, from the right-hand side, dribbled past two players before shooting just wide of the near post. John Terry nearly gave a goal away in the 36th minute when he headed tamely back to Cudicini, giving Crouch a glorious chance, but he collided into the desperate Cudicini as he chased the ball.
As the first half came to a close, Liverpool showed their defensive prowess as they restricted Chelsea to shots from outside the area. Chelsea needed more creativity if they were to get past Liverpool's defence, and Mourinho injected that creativity into his team, replacing Asier Del Horno with Arjen Robben for the second half.
Chelsea pushed for an equaliser and from Robben's corner Terry thought he had got it with a header at the far post in the 50th minute. However he had climbed all over Riise to get to the ball and it was a definite foul. Liverpool were not daunted by this though, and struck again in the 53rd minute was Luis Garcia was put through by a poor defensive header. He took the ball in his stride, let it bounce, looked up and placed a half volley beautifully into the far corner. Cudicini didn't even make an effort to save it, so good was the shot.
Mourinho put in two more wingers as Damien Duff and Joe Cole came on for Geremi and Hernan Crespo. Chelsea started to dominate the match after that as Liverpool looked comfortable to sit back and defend. It was a mistake, however, as a poor headed clearance from Riise looped through the air to Drogba, who headed it beyond Reina into the back of the net. 2-1 and Chelsea had hope.
Chelsea dominated the match from then on, and Liverpool looked tired as Gerrard and Sissoko picked up minor injuries. However, Liverpool still managed to hang on for the win as Joe Cole shot over the bar with his glorious chance to make it 2-2 in the 90th minute.
Liverpool have beaten Manchester United and Chelsea en route to the Final and are definitely strong favourites to lift the cup this season. Now it remains to be seen who they will face in Cardiff. Let's go Reds!
Liverpool team ratings:
Jose Reina - 8
Was not really troubled in the first half. But when he was called upon (a lot in the second half), he did the job well. The Chelsea goal was not of his fault, Drogba got lucky.
Steve Finnan - 8
Assured performance at right-back. As usual, did his job very well.
John Arne Riise - 8
Excellent attacking on the left-hand side, great defending at the back. Scored the first goal as well. However, made a wrong decision when he decided to head the ball clear instead of controlling it, leading to the Chelsea goal.
Jamie Carragher - 8
Very solid performance from Carragher. Hardly gave Chelsea room to manouveur in the Liverpool box and was even there to challenge Drogba for the header for Chelsea's goal.
Sami Hyypia - 8
Solid performance from Hyypia as well as he was a towering presence dealing with corners, free-kicks and crosses. Made a few vital blocks as well.
Steven Gerrard - 7
Made all the early running in the first half as he dominated Frank Lampard, but was hampered in the second half by a minor injury to his knee.
Harry Kewell - 9
As I said before, Liverpool don't look as good as an attacking side without Kewell in the team. Magnificent play on both flanks and was involved in almost every Liverpool dangerous attack. Deserved a goal to cap off a great performance.
Mohamed Sissoko - 7
Chased every ball down, was a great physical presence in midfield. Some of his touches were poor though, but he's still young. Great potential.
Xabi Alonso - 8
Protected his defence superbly and is really settling into his holding role. His passing was superb as usual.
Luis Garcia - 8
Excellent finish for the goal. You need to see it to believe it.
Peter Crouch - 7
Did well in holding up the ball for Liverpool in attack, but did not threaten Carlo Cudicini much.
Substitutes:
Djibril Cisse - 6
Was put on to chase balls the Chelsea defense would pass around, but he didn't do his job very well. Went offside a few times as well when Liverpool needed to keep possession.
Djimi Traore - 6
Was a defensive option and he did his job quite okay.
Fernando Morientes - 7
Was tremendous for Liverpool when they needed to keep the ball as Chelsea pushed for the equaliser. Great possession by Morientes as he frustrated Chelsea with his persistence up front and then his possession-keeping late in the game.
Final Score: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool
Archangel's Man Of The Match: Harry Kewell
"You'll Never Walk Alone"
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