Liverpool vs Chelsea, 1st Leg

1. 93'

   Liverpool meanwhile, were almost entirely nullified. It's no secret that if Gerrard and Torres are kept quiet, they have very little goal threat from elsewhere, and tonight, for the most part, they were as quiet as a mute mouse sucking on an everlasting gobstopper in a monastery.

2. 93'

   Chelsea could not have played very much better tonight. At the back they were solid, their midfield passed and moved well, and Drogba was at his beast-like best. Hell, even Malouda and Kalou played well.

3. 93'

   LIVERPOOL 1 - CHELSEA 3

4. 93'

   Essien clears and that's it. Well played Chelsea, who, it must be said, were excellent tonight. I bet Roman wishes he'd sacked Scolari sooner.

5. 93'

   Alonso shoots from distance and Cech tips it over the bar. Reina is forward for the corner.

6. 92'

   Good ball to Torres from Benayoun who plays it back to Torres who returns the compliment and lobs the ball into Cech's hands for his first save of the second half.

7. 92'

   Good ball to Torres from Benayoun, but Alex and Terry crowd him out. The linesman signals a goalkick but the ref incorrectly overrules him and gives a corner, which comes to nothing. 3 added minutes.

8. 89'

   Chelsea almost score again, Lampard striding clear in the inside-right channel after good work from Essien, but Reina saves his shot.

9. 88'

   Anelka runs free on the right, and Gerrard is forced to slide in and concede a corner. Meanwhile the Chelsea fans ask him if he knows what the score is. His face certainly suggests that he does.

10. 87'

    It's easily cleared, to Carragher, who lofts it aimlessly and harmlessly into the air and Cech's waiting arms.

11. 86'

    They do, however, win a corner on their right which Gerrard will take.

12. 85'

    Gerrard's cross is easy for Cech. Liverpool look shellshocked and have mustered very little since Chelsea's second goal.

13. 83'

    You have to say, it does appear that Hiddink knows what he's doing. Chelsea have been very well organised and kept their heads and their shape when they went behind.

14. 82'

    Alonso spins a pass out to Dossena wide on the left but he miscontrols.

15. 79'

    Even Malouda is playing well for Chelsea, and he gets free again but Liverpool clear his cross. Babel replaces Lucas and goes wide right with Kuyt going up front. Anelka replaces Drogba, who despite the missed chances has played well tonight and kept Carragher and Skrtel occupied.

16. 78'

    Chelsea are sitting back and defending deep, although they now break and Dossena almost scores an own goal, heading Drogba's cross into Reina.

17. 77'

    Good lofted ball from Benayoun, but Cech comes out to punch clear.

18. 77'

    Essien has done a very good job on Gerrard tonight.

19. 76'

    Good ball wide to Dossena from Benayoun, but his cross is easily dealt with. You can't help but feel that Liverpool need to score in the next fifteen to keep this tie alive.

20. 75'

    Dossena on for Aurelio, who has not had a good game.

21. 74'

    Dossena is getting ready to come on. That'll sort it.

22. 72'

    Benayoun tried to trick his way past Cole but is easily robbed. Bet he wishes he was with his family celebrating Passover, which is also tonight. Still, this is a verison of the bitter herbs he'd be eating were he there, and he may shed some real tears instead of the symbolic saltwater.

23. 71'

    Kalou carries the ball 30 yards, finds Malouda, and his shot is saved.

24. 70'

    Perhaps Liverpool saw highlights of the Barca game at half time and thought we're well out of this.

25. 66'

    Benayoun replaces the anonymous Riera.

Leaders

LIVCHE

Total Shots

Fernando Torres

3

Didier Drogba

5

Accurate Passes

Lucas Leiva

53

Michael Essien

45

Saves

Pepe Reina

5

Petr Cech

2