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On Saturday, the first semi-final match of the English Football Association (FA) Cup was played. In a tough battle at "Old Trafford" stadium, Liverpool defeated London's Chelsea 2-1 and advanced to the final.
2-1
21' [1-0] John Arne Riise
53' [2-0] Luis Garcia
70' [2-1] Didier Drogba
At the start of the match, the initiative probably belonged to the English champions Chelsea, who have defended their title this season. In the 8th minute, Chelsea's striker from Ivory Coast, D.Drogba, tried to head the ball directed towards the goal by Frank Lampard from a corner kick, but the shot was very unsuccessful and flew wide off the goal. Just a few minutes later, the same D.Drogba, in a situation where the offside was not flagged, jumped alone against goalkeeper Jose Reina, but again failed to hit the target.
Nevertheless, soon it was Liverpool in the lead - J.A.Riise with a curling shot from about 18 meters left no chance for Chelsea's goalkeeper Carl Cudicini, who only watched the ball pass by. Despite more attacks from Liverpool players during the rest of the first half, the score remained unchanged.
At the start of the second half, John Terry had the chance to equalize, but his header also flew wide off the goal, and Liverpool took advantage once again - after a clearance from the sidelines, the ball bounced successfully to L.Garcia, who, practically alone against the goalkeeper, sent the ball into the nine-yard box with a great shot from 17 meters. Soon, the Spaniard had another chance to score, but this time his close-range shot was successfully deflected by the goalkeeper.
With more than 20 minutes remaining, the London club began what was likely a decisive attack and succeeded when after a cross from the side, J.A.Riise clumsily punched the ball high into the air and D.Drogba, who was the first to reach it, beat the slightly late J.Reina and reduced the score.
At the end of the match, Liverpool was under pressure - first Arjen Robben shot straight at the goalkeeper from a few meters away, and then in the 4th minute of added time, Joe Cole was left completely alone in the penalty area, but a slightly uncomfortable high pass made him miss the target - the shot flew high above the goal.
In the final of the cup, Liverpool will battle the winner of the pair to be determined in tomorrow's second semi-final match. The decisive match for the cup will take place at Cardiff's "Millennium" stadium on May 13.
