Again, Chelsea Meet Liverpool

Chelsea FC secured their fourth UEFA Champions League semi-final berth in five seasons, thanks to goals from Michael Ballack and then Frank Lampard's with three minutes remaining against Fenerbahçe SK.

This is the third time in four years, Chelsea and Liverpool have achieved English for the past four of the competition, but it is increasingly belief in Stamford Bridge that could ultimately prove to be the year of Chelsea.



Chelsea's desire to eradicate their goal of a disadvantage was evident from the outset, and they had a huge lift in the fourth minute when Ballack put them at the aggregate level. A free kick from Lampard found the Fenerbahce dreaming and defense Germany captain glanced a fine header into the far corner of the net.

But in the 25th minute, Chelsea's Kazakhstan crisis plunged to new depths when Cudicini reported to the bench that he could not continue, and came on Hilario. Fenerbahce took the opportunity to try to unnerve the Portuguese four minutes later when Semih Senturk sent to 20 yards wide only to drive his right hand upright.

But Chelsea wrapped the tie-up with three minutes of normal time remaining when Michael Essien cross of the house has been transformed by Lampard from close range. However, some of the gloss was taken off their victory when Essien has shown a yellow
card - a crime that it rules out of the first leg against Liverpool in the semi-finals.

Chelsea struck the icon of the house for nearly you to death after Michael Ballack gave the Blues the lead from the outset, heading home a free kick which was flighted by Lampard himself.

The Blues have a good value for their win on two legs, but has received a lot of criticism following their loss of Turkey and their inability to produce screens quite as dominants that are expected by the fans and the media.

Lampard has brought honour to their quarterfinal opponents, but he insisted there is more to come from his side, as they now face Liverpool, surprisingly, for the third time in four years in Champions League semi-finals.

"It was difficult, credit to Fenerbahce they made it very difficult for us and has a chance," admitted Lampard.(*)

photo: GettyImages source: soccermanguni