Chelsea late show

Tezza: Inspired performance

Chelsea were handed an unlikely lifeline in their Champions League semi-final clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Tuesday night.

Liverpool substitute John Arne Riise headed the ball into his own net deep into injury time to earn the Blues a respectable draw.

With Liverpool on the verge of taking a lead to the away leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea substitute Kalou whipped a cross into the ‘corridor of uncertainty’. Riise tried the clear with a diving header but misjudged the pace of the ball and sent it into the back of his own net.

Dirk Kuyt had given Liverpool the lead finishing from close range after Chelsea failed to clear their lines three minutes before half-time.

The Reds had gilt edged chances - Petr Cech made world class saves from Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard - but it was Chelsea who imposed their authority in the second half and looked dangerous in the final third.

The draw now leaves Chelsea marginal favourites to reach the final in Moscow. Rafa Benitez couldn’t hide his disappointment after the match, taking the emphasis off his side’s lack of concentration, he blamed the referee.

Benitez added: ‘It was a difficult match and I was very disappointed with the referee (Konrad Plautz),’ said Benitez.

‘He gave just one minute of injury time in the first period and four in the second. It was hard to understand.’

Gripe over, Rafa believes that Liverpool can finish the job at fort Stamford Bridge.

‘We haven't scored there but that is just a statistic and maybe we can change that,’ said Benitez.

‘Stamford Bridge is a difficult stadium for everyone. No-one has won there for two years but it is the Champions League so maybe we can manage.

‘We know we have go and win. It is not a case of thinking maybe we will be OK with a draw. That is a big difference.’

It was a hammer blow for the Reds to concede so late in the day, you wouldn’t bet against Chelsea shutting up shop at home. Then again Liverpool have pedigree in Europe and if they could bag a goal to cancel out the away goal anything can happen from 12 yards, what’s Jerzy Dudek up to these days?

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