A Frank Lampard penalty and a double from Didier Drogba secured Chelsea a spot in the first all-English Champions League final after an extra-time win over Liverpool.
Didier Drogba gave Chelsea a first half lead from a tight angle after Salomon Kalou's shot was saved by Pepe Reina.
Fernando Torres finished calmly to take the tie into extra-time and it looked like penalties could decide the tie for the second year in a row.
Michael Essien thought he had won the tie early in extra-time, but the assistant referee adjudged Chelsea players standing in an offside position to be obstructing Reina's view.
But just seconds later Sami Hyypia brought down Michael Ballack in the box and referee Roberto Rosetti pointed to the spot.
Ballack, who scored a penalty to beat final opponents Manchester United at the weekend, left the spot-kick to Frank Lampard.
The England international fired home an unstoppable penalty before an emotional celebration, kissing the black armband he was wearing in honour of his mother who died last week.
Drogba added a third before Petr Cech could only palm a long range Babel strike into the top corner to set up a tense finish.
But the night belonged to Chelsea and Lampard, who go on to face United in the final in Moscow on the 21st May.
Thursday 1 May 2008
Wednesday 30 April 2008
SCHOLES ROLLS BACK THE YEARS TO SET UP ALL ENGLISH FINAL
Paul Scholes produced one of the best strikes of his career to send Manchester United into the Champions League final.
The Red Devils beat Barcelona 1-0 at Old Trafford to reach the final for the first time since they won the trophy on "that night in Barcelona", back in 1999.
Scholes collected the ball after a loose pass by Gianluca Zambrotta and unleashed a swerving strike that flew past Victor Valdes and into the top corner.
It was only his second goal of the season and his first since August - but for United fans it was well worth the wait.
Barcelona pushed forward in a tense second half but Sir Alex Ferguson's men battled and threw themselves in front of everything to ensure their passage to the final.
And it looks set to be a heated final confrontation - with bitter rivals Liverpool, or Premier League title rivals Chelsea playing tonight for the right to face Ronaldo, Rooney and co in the final.
The Red Devils beat Barcelona 1-0 at Old Trafford to reach the final for the first time since they won the trophy on "that night in Barcelona", back in 1999.
Scholes collected the ball after a loose pass by Gianluca Zambrotta and unleashed a swerving strike that flew past Victor Valdes and into the top corner.
It was only his second goal of the season and his first since August - but for United fans it was well worth the wait.
Barcelona pushed forward in a tense second half but Sir Alex Ferguson's men battled and threw themselves in front of everything to ensure their passage to the final.
And it looks set to be a heated final confrontation - with bitter rivals Liverpool, or Premier League title rivals Chelsea playing tonight for the right to face Ronaldo, Rooney and co in the final.
Tuesday 29 April 2008
SVEN TO BE SACKED
Sven-Goran Eriksson is to be sacked as manager of Manchester City at the end of the season, it is being reported today.
Club owner, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took the decision after watching City throw away a 2-0 lead to be beaten by relegation candidates Fulham at the weekend.
Eriksson took charge of City at the start of the season and a great start took them to third in the table in November.
The former-England boss also master-minded two wins over bitter rivals United. But City's form has faltered in the second half of the season and City have dropped out of contention for a European place.
The decision is said to have been met with shock and again from the players, and a similar reaction can be expected from fans who generally are pleased with the progress the club has made under the Swede.
Club owner, former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, took the decision after watching City throw away a 2-0 lead to be beaten by relegation candidates Fulham at the weekend.
Eriksson took charge of City at the start of the season and a great start took them to third in the table in November.
The former-England boss also master-minded two wins over bitter rivals United. But City's form has faltered in the second half of the season and City have dropped out of contention for a European place.
The decision is said to have been met with shock and again from the players, and a similar reaction can be expected from fans who generally are pleased with the progress the club has made under the Swede.
Monday 28 April 2008
RONALDO WINS PFA AWARD
Cristiano Ronaldo has been named PFA player of the year.
The Manchester United star, who has scored 38 goals this season, beat the likes of Fernando Torres and Emmanuel Adebayor to the award.
But he was beaten to the young player of the year award by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
The Portuguese international did not attend the ceremony as he prepares for United's Champions League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
The Manchester United star, who has scored 38 goals this season, beat the likes of Fernando Torres and Emmanuel Adebayor to the award.
But he was beaten to the young player of the year award by Arsenal midfielder Cesc Fabregas.
The Portuguese international did not attend the ceremony as he prepares for United's Champions League semi-final second leg at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
Sunday 27 April 2008
TITLE RACE GOING TO THE WIRE
Chelsea's 2-1 win over Manchester United leaves the two sides level on points with just two games remaining, and the race to be crowned Premier League champions looks set to go down to the very last game of the season.
United will win the title if they beat West Ham at home and Wigan away, as they have vastly superior goal difference than Chelsea.
But the momentum is now with the Blues after Michael Ballack's controversial 86th minute penalty secured the win they needed to put the pressure on defending champions United.
Chelsea have a trip to Newcastle before hosting relegation-threatened Bolton in what could be a massive end of season decider at both ends of the table.
Matchwinner Ballack dedicated the win to Frank Lampard after he missed the game following the death of his mother this week.
United will win the title if they beat West Ham at home and Wigan away, as they have vastly superior goal difference than Chelsea.
But the momentum is now with the Blues after Michael Ballack's controversial 86th minute penalty secured the win they needed to put the pressure on defending champions United.
Chelsea have a trip to Newcastle before hosting relegation-threatened Bolton in what could be a massive end of season decider at both ends of the table.
Matchwinner Ballack dedicated the win to Frank Lampard after he missed the game following the death of his mother this week.
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