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In the second UEFA Champions League semi-final on Wednesday, two English clubs - London's "Chelsea" and "Liverpool" clashed. Chelsea's victory with a minimal lead after the only goal by Joe Cole in the first half secured the advantage for the club before the return match.
1 - 0 29' [1 - 0] Joe Cole
"Chelsea": Cech; A.Cole, Carvalho, Terry, Ferreira; J.Cole (85' Wright-Phillips), Makelele, Mikel, Lampard; Drogba, Shevchenko (76' Kalou)
"Liverpool": Reina; Riise, Agger, Carragher, Arbeloa; Zenden, Mascherano, Gerrard, Alonso (83' Pennant); Kuyt, Bellamy (53' Crouch)
Liverpool's coach Rafa Benitez unexpectedly chose Bolo Zenden on the left side of the defensive line for this match, while Javier Mascherano played in the center instead of Momo Sissoko. In the Chelsea ranks, the disqualified Michael Essien was replaced by John Obi Mikel.
Stamford Bridge took initiative from the start of the match, and in the 7th minute, Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina had to save his team after a shot from Frank Lampard following a pass from Didier Drogba from about 10 meters away.
Later, an active Drogba failed to make a precise pass to the free Joe Cole, and the striker's attempt with his head in a struggle with Reina was off target.
However, Chelsea's pressure paid off and in the 29th minute, Drogba broke through on the right side, passed the ball to J.Cole in the middle of the penalty area, who skillfully scored a goal with a precise shot while falling.
Liverpool struggled to attack, and the only serious response from the visitors was a header from Steven Gerrard after a pass from Dirk Kuyt.
After the break, Liverpool's coach Rafa Benitez brought Peter Crouch on, and the tall striker immediately boosted his team's play, creating a chance for Gerrard's shot, which was well saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Liverpool began to control the game but failed to create more dangerous opportunities in front of the opponents' goal. Meanwhile, Drogba was struggling to break through the tough defensive line, missing the target with a weak shot at Reina first, and later failing to score with a header after a penalty shot.
Despite all of Liverpool's efforts, Chelsea almost scored the second goal in the 81st minute - Drogba passed the ball to Lampard, whose shot was brilliantly saved by Reina.
At the end of the match, Drogba had the last chance after a corner kick, but from a difficult position, the Ivory Coast striker could not direct the ball towards the goal while battling with opponents.
Chelsea secured a well-deserved victory and gained a minimal but crucial one-goal advantage before the return match in a week in Liverpool.
