Chelsea leave Anfield with a draw thanks to Riise's injury time own-goal
Posted by
David J. Skinner
on
April 24th, 2008
Liverpool 1 - 1 Chelsea
I suppose Chelsea were due a little bit of luck at Anfield. Twice in the last three seasons, the Blues' Champions League campaigns were ended in heartbreaking fashion in Liverpool. In the first contest, Luis Garcia's disputed goal - that may not have crossed the line - was the difference. And a year later, Chelsea went out on penalties playing the second leg at Anfield.
This time around, the third semi-final against Liverpool in four seasons, looked like it would be another 1-0 win for Liverpool. Late in the first half, Frank Lampard lost possession to Dirk Kuyt near the Chelsea box. And after a flick and a lobbed pass in front of goal, Kuyt beat Claude Makelele to the ball and stabbed the ball past Petr Cech to give the Reds the lead.
Liverpool really should have extended their lead in the second half, but Petr Cech came up huge in goal. Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres each were denied by brilliant saves as Chelsea somehow prevented further damage.
The referee allowed four minutes of injury time, and with only seconds left, Salomon Kalou received a throw-in near the corner kick spot, beat two defenders and crossed the ball into the box. Nicolas Anelka was waiting in the box, but Jon Arne Riise was in front of him ready to clear the ball. But rather than hoofing the ball to safety out of bounds, he decided to stoop low and attempt to head it over the end line. Instead, his low header found the top corner of the Liverpool net past a helpless Pepe Reina.
Unbelievably, Chelsea snatched a late draw, and more importantly, take a crucial away goal into the second leg at Stamford Bridge. With seconds to go, it looked like Chelsea would need to win their home leg by two goals to advance to the final. Now, a 0-0 draw or a one-goal victory in leg two will see Chelsea through to their first ever Champions League final, a feat Jose Mourinho was not able to achieve. Mourinho was the Special One, perhaps Avram Grant will be remembered as the Lucky One.
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