Chelsea 1-0 (2-1 agg) Liverpool

Chelsea will face Manchester United in Moscow after a thrilling encounter which was settled in extra time.

Chelsea were in control for the best part of the first half, and had several opportunities at Liverpool’s goal.

But it took Chelsea until the 33rd minute to get what they had deserved. Kalou cut in from the left, his powerful shot was good and forced Renia to parry, Drogba picked up the loose ball and shot, his low strike at the near post was too good for Reina and Chelsea were ahead for the first time in the tie.

Soon after Chelsea may have doubled the lead when Ballack’s free kick went agonisingly wide for Chelsea.

Chelsea came out in the second looking to preserve their lead, a tactic Liverpool were happy with. With Chelsea sitting back, Liverpool were able to attack and attack they did.

It was on 64 minutes when they got the breakthrough they had been searching for. Benayoun was responsible for creating the opportunity. He dragged the ball in from the right, to just outside the penalty box a clever short ball played Torres in and he coolly slotted home to equal the scores.

Penalties looked ominous, so both sides looked to push in the final few minutes, but after 180 minutes of football the sides could not be separated and extra time was played.

Within 5 minutes of the first period, Chelsea had the ball in the net. Essien’s strike flew past Reina into the net, but the linesman flagged for offside. Flagged because there were four Chelsea players in an offside position that could have interfered with Reina’s view.

Almost before the Chelsea player’s had stopped arguing with the officials they had a penalty. Hyypia stuck out a clumsy foot in the box and caught Ballack. Lampard took the spot kick, calmly firing it into the bottom right hand corner. Astonishing bravery from Lampard who recently lost his Mother.

Surprisingly, with a response needed by Liverpool, Benitez withdrew Torres and replaced him with Babel.

Just before the extra time break, Anelka’s drive into the box ended with him picking out Drogba. Six yards out, Drogba finished again finished at Reina’s near post.

Liverpool should have had a penalty 3 minutes into the second period of extra time. Hyypia of all people dribbled in the Chelsea penalty area, when the rash challenge from Drogba came the referee thought about the penalty, whistle went to mouth, but he decided against it.

With 3 and a half minutes to go, Babel scored the goal of the game. From all of 20 yards, the Dutchman let fly. Cech got his hands to it, but the power was too much.

Liverpool threw everything at Chelsea in the last couple of minutes but Chelsea managed to hold on and will now face Manchester United in Moscow.

Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has hit back at Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez ahead of tonight’s Champions League semi final, 2nd leg at Stamford Bridge.

Drogba came in for criticism over his conduct following last week’s first leg, which finished 1-1. Indeed, at one point in the match, he was jokingly described by the ITV commentary team as ‘having the lowest pain threshold in the Northern Hemisphere’.

At the weekend, Benitez criticised the Ivory Coast international, revealing that he has a compiled four-year dossier of examples that he believes show Drogba going down under challenges too easily.

However, speaking to French newspaper L’Equipe, Drogba dismissed the claims saying:

Benitez was a manager I respected a lot. He has really disappointed me.

Until now, I found him very competent and also classy. A top boss would never go so low to attack a player.

Perhaps he is looking for something to destabilise us before the match. If he wants me to stay on my feet, maybe he should tell his defenders to stop hitting me.

In the first leg, (Jamie) Carragher and the other one (Martin Skrtel) didn’t stop. And not just with me. I finished the match with bruises everywhere.

Last year, I broke a rib against Liverpool in the Champions League semi-final. Strangely, that escapes the statistics of Benitez.

It will not affect me. If I fall, I will always get up. The best response I can give will be on the pitch.

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has confirmed that Paul Scholes will definitely play in the Champions League final against Chelsea or Liverpool after his winning goal against Barcelona.

The former England midfielder missed the 1999 triumph against Bayern Munich because of suspension but nine years on, he is now set to feature in what will be the first all English final in the history of the competition.

Scholes’ blistering strike from 25 yards was only his second goal of the season, and his first in the Champions League for a year and a half.

Sir Alex said:

He’s one of the great players to come through the ranks here.

We can’t expect him to score 10-15 goals a season like he did when he was younger, but this one makes up for all the ones he can no longer score.

But I’m so pleased for everyone. It’s a great feeling, marvellous. This club deserves to be in the final.

Frank Rijkaard says he won’t be quitting his job as coach of Barcelona despite their failure to reach the Champions League final after defeat to Manchester United.

The Dutchman said the thought of walking away from the Spanish team “has not entered my head”.

“I have no intention of leaving,” he added. “It would be different if the players were saying it is time for me to go but that is not the case.”

However, it’s not the players who will make that decision and Rijkaard’s position is bound to come under discussion by the club’s hierarchy after a second successive trophy-less season.

Spanish websites said Barcelona’s defeat signalled the “end of an era” for the Catalan club who, in addition to their semi final defeat at Old Trafford, have lagged behind fierce rivals Real Madrid in La Liga all season.

The League Managers Association say they are “deeply concerned” regarding the possible sacking of Sven Goran Eriksson by Manchester City.

Club owner Thaksin Shinawatra has told the former England boss that he will be not be required to stay at the helm next season and sources close to the Swede say it’s unlikely he’ll resist any move to dismiss him, though it’s understood that Eriksson won’t resign.

Eriksson’s probable demise comes despite an encouraging first season at Eastlands where City beat Manchester United twice and assured themselves of a top half finish in the league.

A statement released by the LMA read:

The League Managers Association is deeply concerned about the circumstances surrounding the possible departure of Sven Goran Eriksson from Manchester City FC.

There is no question that Sven has made an immediate and dramatic impact on Manchester City since his arrival, winning seven out of their first 10 matches, completing the double over local rivals and reigning champions, Manchester United, and in line for their highest-ever finish in the Barclays Premier League.

Sven is one of Europe’s most highly talented football managers with experience gained from working around the world. He is in the process of building a strong squad at Manchester City, he commands the respect of his players and has developed a strong relationship and fantastic support from the Man City fans.

We feel the current situation reflects a growing trend of football club owners having unrealistic expectations and not giving managers sufficient support and time in the role. Such short-termism is destabilising to the club, its players and its fans and is not the way to develop success on the field.

With Manchester United safely through to the Champions League final, tonight it’s the turn of Chelsea and Liverpool who meet at Stamford Bridge with their semi final all square at 1 - 1 after the first leg at Anfield.

The London side could be set to play Frank Lampard in midfield. The England international has been on compassionate leave following the recent death of his mother.

Meanwhile John Arne Riise, scorer of a dramatic own goal in the first game, could replace the injured Fabio Aurelio in the Liverpool side.

Manager Rafa Benitez is also expcted to start with leading scorer Fernando Torres after the Spaniard was rested for the weekend Premier League draw away to Birmingham.

The ‘all-English’ final will take place in Moscow on 21st May.

Footy Boots expert Perry Groves is half way through his schedule of video football boot tests and they’ve certainly struck a chord with players and manufacturers.

Footy Boots has been inundated with offers of other football boots for Perry to test, along with some other products which have caused the odd raised eyebrow in the Footy Boots office.

Breathable football shirts, shin pads and even a newly designed Astroturf pitch have all been put on the ‘possible’ list for future filming, though the gear offered by the ‘Pleasurama Private Shop’ in Amsterdam has been given the thumbs down. Ironic really, as most of the items have been designed to make certain body parts go in the opposite direction.

Tearing our attention back to football boots, still to come are the adiPure and the V1.08 but this time round, it’s the turn of the Nike Tiempo Legend II. One legend testing another you might say.

To find out what Perry made of them, all you need to do is click here.

Man Utd 1-0 Barcelona

A Paul Scholes strike in the first half was enough for Manchester United to beat Barcelona and face an English side in the final of the Champions League final.

The Catalans made a bright start with Frank Rijkaard’s side not allowing United to settle down and dominate possession. The Manchester United defenders were kept busy as Messi and Samuel Eto’o threatened and goalkeeper Edwin Van der Sar’s mis-kick could have cost the hosts.

Against the run of play, on 14 minutes, the home side took the lead as Paul Scholes’ 25-yard shot swerved into the top corner after a poor ball from Zambrotta.

Barcelona goalkeeper Victor Valdes fumbled in the 18th minute after a Nani free kick from the right, but United had no one to take advantage.

Soon after, Messi’s shot was stopped by Van der Sar. Meanwhile at the other end, Park saw his effort go close after being set up by Ronaldo.

United missed a guilt edged chance to double their lead when Nani’s glancing header missed the post in the 41st minute.

The second half was played out much like the first, with Barca controlling most of the possession.

Messi was always a threat when Barcelona managed to get the ball to him. Barca threw on Henry and Bojan.

Henry had a god headed chance, but he directed the ball at Van der Sar.

The more the game went on, the more United were content to soak up the pressure and let Barcelona attack them.

Barcelona kept pushing but were unable to produce a finishing edge and United now face Chelsea or Liverpool in the final.

Man Utd v Barcelona (0-0)

With home advantage and no goals in the first leg, Man Utd are favourites with the bookies, but with the special talent in the Barca side this is no foregone conclusion.

Carles Puyol the Barcelona captain and manager Frank Rijkaard both insist that Barcelona will not hold back against Manchester United on Tuesday night. Suggesting a mouthwatering encounter is on the cards.

Team News

Man Utd

United have major doubts over two key players. Wayne Rooney had to leave the field against Chelsea on Saturday, his hip injury was aggravated once again. Meanwhile Nemanja Vidic also had to be subbed in the Chelsea game after receiving a knee in the face which led to him losing a tooth. Neither player has trained the last couple of days, but will be given until the last minute by Ferguson to be fit.

Barcelona

Carlos Puyol is available for the game after seeing out his suspension in the first leg. Just as well as his replacement last week Rafael Marquez picked up a yellow and is suspended for this match.

Current Form

Both Barcelona and Manchester United are unbeaten this term in the Champions League. Both teams are strong defensively, as both have kept clean sheets in their last four Champions League matches.

Both sides have stuttered in their domestic leagues recently. Barcelona lost 2-0 at Deportivo La Coruna at the weekend and have now gone five games without a win.Man Utd meanwhile lost to Chelsea on Saturday, a game that would have more or less won them the Premier League. They have only won one game in four in the Premier League.

Ronaldo V Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has vowed to avenge the missed penalty at Barcelona last week. Ronaldo is this season’s CL top scorer with seven goals. Who would bet against the PFA player of the year scoring the winner?

Messi is just one behind on six goals and would dearly love to overtake the Portuguese winger. Like Ronaldo, the young Argentina star often operates from a wide role but does like to pop up in more central positions.

Both players have their best years ahead of them, but its fixtures like this that require the best talent to produce the goods, both sides will be hoping their young starlets can produce tonight and carry them into the Champions League final.

Reports have surfaced suggesting that Sven Goran Eriksson will be dismissed by Manchester City at the end of the current Premier League campaign.

The former England coach met with club owner Thaksin Shinawatra on Saturday, hours after they’d watch their team throw away 2 goal lead over Fulham to lose 3 - 2.

A source close to Erikson says Shinawatra told him he wasn’t the right man for the job.

City enjoyed a remarkable start to the season putting together an impressive unbeaten home run which included a 1 - 0 win over local rivals Manchester United.

However, results dipped in the second half of the season and they are currently in 9th place and out of contention for a Uefa Cup spot.

Eriksson has apparently already told the players he is leaving, news which provoked an angry response.

Derby 2-6 Arsenal

Arsenal crushed Derby at Pride Park with Emmanuel Adebayor scoring a second half hat trick.

The hosts had looked lively early on but once Arsenal got going they could have had a cricket score.

The opening 24 minutes looked good for Derby, they were playing free flowing football and attacking the Arsenal goal. But in the 25th minute Darren Moore gifted Van Persie the ball, he played it to Bendtner a quick exchange and Bendtner slot home past Roy Carroll.

However, with Arsenal now controlling play, it was a turn up when Derby equalised on the half hour. Robbie Savage planted a free-kick in the area, the ball ricocheted about before McEveley knocked it home from close range.

5 minutes before the break and Arsenal were in charge again. Toure clipped a delightful ball over the Derby back four, Van Persie slipped glided into space, chested the ball down and half-volleyed a rising drive into the roof of the net.

Arsenal’s third came when Denilson played in Walcott on the right, he skipped past his marker on the byline and cut the ball back to Eboue whose fortunate touch played in Adebayor, on for Van Persie, to tap in from close range.

Derby were not finished though. In the 76th minute, substitute Robert Earnshaw ran through one on one with Fabianski and the ball into the far post. The ensuing celebration suggested Earnshaw had scored in a cup final, rather than his first Premier League goal in two and a half years.

At 3-2, Derby fans thought they may just get something from the game. But, 90 seconds later they realised not.

Walcott cut inside his marker on the left and curled his shot into the far corner of the net. A fine goal and one that will no doubt assist his much needed confidence.

Ten minutes from time, Adebayor collected Clichy’s low cross from the left, he calmly slotted past Carroll and decided to mimic Earnshaw’s earlier celebration.

In injury time, Adebayor completed his hat trick. Fabregas played a splitting ball from the middle of the park. Adebayor collected it and dragged the ball past Carroll before slotting in.

Adebayor likes playing Derby, this was his second hat trick against Derby this season.

Fresh from a run in with his gardener when warming down after completing his latest Oh Kay column, Andy Kay demands the CCTV footage before letting fly.

Alex and Carlos

Anyone else surprised by the comments of Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlos Queiroz after Manchester United’s defeat at Chelsea on Saturday? No, thought not. It was all the officials fault you see. No mention of course of the ultra cautious United line up or the fact that the club’s leading scorer started on the bench. Oh no. Quieroz claimed that for United to get a penalty, one of their players would have to be shot. Strange that. I don’t remember any Barca players brandishing a Smith & Wesson or sub-machine gun at the Nou Camp last week. And in that game, United got a penalty in the second minute. As it happens, Ronaldo was only mugged by Ballack at the Bridge, but tussles like that, particularly at corner kicks, are 10 a penny in any game. As for Chelsea’s winning spot kick, Sir Alex would have us believe that Michael Carrick “couldn’t get out of the road.” If that’s the case, he must have the reactions of a geriatric tortoise on Valium as he was a good 10 yards away from the ball when it was crossed. The truth of their demise lies closer to home. Defensive team selection, poor first half display.

Fighting relegation

In the two Heineken Cup semi finals at the weekend, both the underdogs, London Irish and Saracens punched well above their weight before being undone by Toulouse and Munster respectively. In the Premier League, even more can be said of Birmingham, Fulham, Reading and Bolton. All of them had tricky games but none of them folded. Indeed, none of them got beaten. The relegation dog fight has been extended for another week at least. Painful for their supporters but great, if not slightly morbid entertainment for the rest of us.

Mansfield attack

A man has been arrested after the owner of Mansfield Town was attacked following his side’s defeat in a crucial League Two relegation match against Rotherham. Police confirmed they were called to the club’s boardroom just before 5pm on Saturday after an alleged attack on Keith Haslam. He suffered minor head injuries and was released from a local hospital following treatment. A 45-year-old local man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He’s probably basing his defence on the fact that he’s the only bloke from Mansfield who got any shots on target the entire afternoon.

Moscow mugging

You know when an event has serious problems when the UK’s top football writers take a collective pop at it. And that’s the case surrounding the Champions League final. The brilliant Martin Samuels of The Times is the latest journo to take umbrage with the chosen venue of European football’s showpiece club game. Why? Well, here are a few reasons for a start.

1) The names of all fans attending the game must be made known to Uefa within 48 hours of the completion of the semi finals. A logistical nightmare.

2) All travelling fans must have a visa. These will have to be processed, along with travel and accommodation details, in just 9 working days. And if Manchester United prevail to make it an all British final, that’s 43,000 visa applications going through one embassy. Get the overtime payments ready comrade.

3) Standard chain hotels are charging up to £5000 for a 3 night stay.

4) The city has only 35,000 hotel rooms and a cost-of-living survey has rated it the most expensive in the world two years running.

5) As all direct flights are full, the best way now of getting to the game involves a 15 hour train journey and 2 days of travelling each way.

Moscow, of course, follows Athens and Istanbul as recent CL final venues, the capital city of countries that have provided how many finalists in the last 52 years? One.

New Nike video - Take It To The Next Level.

If you’re planning to watch the Champions League semi final, 2nd leg between Manchester United and Barcelona, and why wouldn’t you be, make sure you’re in your chair or on your bar stool a few minutes before kick off.

Whilst the pre match chat is normally an ideal opportunity for a cuppa or trip to the bar, at Footy Boots we will definitely stayed glued to the screen to watch the airing of a brand new Nike commercial, directed by none other than Guy ‘Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels’ Ritchie.

Entitled, ‘Take It To The Next Level’ , the ad charts the progression of a young football player from his beginnings in non-league football through to competing at the highest level for his country.

Some of the world’s best football players, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Cesc Fabregas, Ronaldinho, Wayne Rooney, Ruud Van Nistlerooy, Zlatan Ibrahimovich, Marco Materazzi and Rafael Marquez, feature in the all-action two-minute commercial which unfolds from the player’s first-hand perspective - the viewer is the player and is in the middle of all the action - on and off the pitch in all its glory.

The ad certainly hit the mark as far as Rooney was concerned. Asked for his advice to any budding young player he said “I think the advice I’d give to them is, as in any walk of life and in any sport, the main thing you have to do is work hard. If you work hard, practice everyday and make sure you are determined! I think with those three things you can then set yourself a good platform to go on and do well.”

And Arsenal star Cesc Fabregas said the journey portrayed by the player in the commercial was very similar to his experiences as a youngster at Arsenal. “For me all went very quickly and it’s the truth that it was an incredible experience, because I was playing as a substitute and here and there trained with the first team with players like Henry, Pires, Bergkamp. All these players who make you grow. It was just an incredible experience for me.”

Nike describe the commercial as follows.

To get to the next level in football, you need a fine-tuned combination of skill, physical fitness, mental toughness, emotional control, the best products and a bit of luck. This journey is the ultimate roller-coaster ride - it is not quick, pretty or easy and there are plenty of surprises along the way. You see what it takes to get discovered - what it takes to keep improving. You live the ups and downs, the glory and the sacrifice, the fun and insanity a modern footballer experiences on his journey up the ranks of the game.

The viewer quickly finds out that it is essential to adapt to every new situation technically, physically and mentally. The progression sees you meet constant challenges, work as part of a team, show ultimate commitment to training, be the victim of bad fouls, celebrate wins, be under pressure to deliver at critical match-deciding moments be humbled by other star players. The journey has some obvious advantages - glamorous evenings out with your beautiful girlfriend and adoring fans shouting your name and clambering for your autograph.

The story starts when you are spotted by Arsene Wenger at a non-league youth fixture after scoring the winning free-kick. You no longer hear about Arsenal’s results on the television - you are there - playing for the team - using the Player’s entrance. Cesc Fabregas kisses you in one match (a bit worrying) and screams at you in the next match (OK, that’s better).

You absorb the energy and emotion from passionate screaming fans who pack football stadiums when you play in the Manchester United v Arsenal clash in the English FA Premier League and you face teams such as Inter Milan and FC Barcelona in the Uefa Champions League.

You see first-hand the power of Wayne Rooney’s kick, the accuracy of Zlatan Ibrahimovich’s shot, Cristiano Ronaldo’s dazzling skills and incredible pace and Marco Materazzi’s man-marking. Ronaldinho smiles when he shakes your hand during the line-up at Camp Nou, but his spectacular dribble leaves you far from smiling.

The journey culminates in a dramatic Final between Holland and Portugal (right, I’m Dutch - no problem, I can do rock music and pretty girls). You are up against Cristiano Ronaldo once again. Your team-mates Ruud Van Nistlerooy and Wesley Schneijder play the ball into you and urge you to ‘Take It To The Next Level’ - even on this stage.

Director Guy Ritchie was obviously in his element during the shoot. He said “This is the largest advert I have filmed. Usually I do one commercial a year. Essentially this is like shooting a feature film on this one. So we spent a week in Barcelona, a couple of days up in Manchester. I think it’s 9 days overall which is long for a commercial.

“The footballers we’ve been working with were very nice fellas. Cristiano Ronaldo was a particularly nice chap. Also Ruud Van Nistelroy played football with my son for 20 minutes which made him very happy. They’ve all been very, very accommodating.”

Thanks to Nike, Footy Boots has obtained a sneak preview of the commercial so ahead of the debut showing, you can catch a glimpse right here.

See video footage of the post match brawl at Stamford Bridge, between Chelsea groundstaff and Manchester United’s Patrice Evra.

Sir Alex Ferguson, says he is “very happy” to honour the FA’s request, to review CCTV footage of the post match brawl at Stamford Bridge.

Both clubs have put forward differing versions of the events that led up to a 30-man melee, which saw United’s players clash with Chelsea groundstaff, but they have now been asked to give their side of the story.

It certainly looks like Evra charged in, but Tevez has come out to defend Evra.

Carlos Tevez:

Patrice received a grave insult from a member of Chelsea’s staff.

He demanded an explanation and, from that moment, these men just wanted to attack Patrice. Obviously it’s normal that we tried to defend our team-mate but within a few seconds all of the United players were surrounded by stewards.

What do you think?

Watch the video by clicking the image below.