Chelsea vs. Liverpool Live!
I'm hoping for more of the thrilling stuff that we saw yesterday between ManYoo and Milan today as Chelski and Liverpool meet in the Champions League semi final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Defender Ricardo Carvalho has passed a fitness test on his hamstring and Joe Cole and Sheva return to the Chelski line-up, but Jose Mourinho is without Bollock (knee) and the suspended Essien . Rafael Benitez opts for two strikers in Kuyt and Bellamy, with Arbeloa in at right-back for Finnan, who hasn't recovered from a neck problem. The big surprise is the inclusion of former Chelsea player Zenden on the left of midfield.Join me for all of the live action on ESPN2, won't you?
posted by gatorbob @ 2:32 PM
86 Comments:
Here are the full lineups for today:
Chelsea: Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Makelele, Joe Cole, Mikel, Lampard, Shevchenko, Drogba.
Subs: Cudicini, Boulahrouz, Geremi, Bridge, Diarra, Kalou, Wright-Phillips.
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Agger, Riise, Gerrard, Alonso, Mascherano, Zenden, Kuyt, Bellamy.
Subs: Dudek, Hyypia, Gonzalez, Crouch, Pennant, Sissoko, Paletta.
Referee: Markus Merk (Germany)
Both sides and the crowd applauding the memory of the great Alan Ball, who died yesterday. He will be missed. Nice touch.
And we're off! A bit of chat already between Makelele and Craig Bellamy. Let's hope it's not a niggly affair.
Chelski have started brightly playing long through Drogba, who was absolutely robbed in the PFA voting at the weekend. They inexplicably wented for the cheating bastard Cristiano Ronaldo. How is the cheating going to be stopped if they keep rewarding the behavior?
Drogs bursts through the Liverpool defense and seems to be nicked by Carragher. Muted appeal from Drogs but the ref waves play on.
Very close there for Chelski. Cashley lofts a hopeful ball into the area for Drogs, who heads down brilliantly across the area. Sheva hesitates but it runs on to Lamps who drills a shot into Reina who saves well. Good pressure for Chelski.
Cricket Update: The Aussies are as expected absolutely mullering South Africa, who were all out for 149 this morning. The Aussies lost Adam Gilchrist early, but Matthew Hayden is steering them to victory now. They need 80 runs in 35 overs!
Sloppy defending by Pool let Drogs in there, who just couldn't find Joe Cole with the final ball. Shame. A goal could really open this match up. Liverpool seem to have come to geta draw.
Another opening for Chelski there. Sheva is guilty of selfishness as he goes for a Ricky Roberts-style cross shot across the area from an impossible angle while Joe Cole was steaming in. If he'd dialled it down a notch, Cole would surely have tapped it into an open net.
I am here.
How has it been so far?
Pool's first meaningful foray into the Chelski half ends with a disappointing wide effort from Bolo Zendon.
Hey Dave: It's all been Chelski so far. Pool seem to have shown up to stifle them and get a draw to take back to Anfield. They've got three central midfielders in Stevie G., Mascherano, and Alonso bottling it up. The game could use a goal. All of the best chances have been for Chelski.
Chance for Kuyt
Should have done better with the head
Shirt pulling by Drogs and gets a free kick
ooh, that was close by Lamps
Close thing again for Lamps, with a typically deflected free kick that just whistled past the post. Whew!
Any comments about Alan Ball's death, Dave?
Well, both teams are never as entertaining as United.
Right in the meat and two veg by Alonso
Yes, Mikel is limping off with his manhood in some doubt.
Lovely to see Joe Cole back in the fray. It'll be a tremendous boost for England too. He's been missed.
Treble for United or Quadruple for Chelski - which one are you predicting, Dave?
Yes, it is very sad. I actually found out from an email from brother Tony asking if I had heard the news.
I don't remember him playing for England much. My main memory is playing for The Arse and Southampton.
Of course, he was the manager of Citeh when they were relegated. They had played many games and still had two points.
The Joke:
What does Citeh and a toothpick have in common?
They both have two points.
Neither
The Aussies are 85 for 2(17.5 overs)
Chelski score. It was a quick break.
GOAL! And Joe Cole gets his first back for Chelski. Great counterattack, Drogs burns the fullback, great cutback and Cole slots home.
That should bust the game wide open. Liverpool need a goal now.
I really don't want Chels to wrap it up tonight. I want them to have it on their mind for the Bolton match.
Both United and Chels have 7:45 games on Sat.
Alright, Dave - trivia time. Which one of the players on the pitch today has a mother who is a porn star?
Crikey, I guess I'll be getting up early for that lot.
Good point made by the commentator.
Liverpool fell behind at the Nou Camp.
I tell you, I can't stand the sound of these matches. The sounds seem very muffled.
Watching the Roma match in England, the crowd was so loud. I am sure it was last night. It didn't seem it when Roon scored the winner.
Neither game is on FSC. United Everton is on Setanta, Chels game is tape delay at noon.
That was a chance for Stevie G.
How am I supposed to know any porno stars?
Drogs is starting to dive
You must have been in Cloud Cuckoo Land during the second leg match with Roma. Bloody hell, even I got excited. It's one of those one-off matches where everything's flying in.
Yeah, I reckon Jose should substitute him in the second half to save him for the second leg. Perhaps put Kalou in instead.
I can't believe I'm stumped you on a trivia. It's John Arne Riise's mum. They mention it on the commentary all the time.
Yeah, Crouchy would've stuck away that chance that was too high for Gerrard. Why don't they start him?
Aussies have reached their ton after only 21 overs. They need 50 runs to win - easy pickings.
Half-time: Liverpool came out to grab a goal-less draw at the beginning of the match, but Chelski had other ideas. Now they'll have to chase the match in the second half. Joe Cole has made the difference in the sides. He could've had a couple and Chelski should really be two or three up.
I'll tell you, that Roma game was so great. ITV, family around, seven goals!!!!
Your brother sent me a tape of it so I could watch over here.
Lovely Jubbley
Half time.
The kind of match expected.
How do you think the second half will go in Milan?
The second leg could go either way. You're obviously weak in the back so you're likely to give up some goals. Could be a shootout to the death.
Second half starting....can Liverpool make a comeback here. Should have Crouchy on at some point.
Good start from Liverpool with quick chances from Gerrard and Kuyt. Chelski seem asleep right now.
I would put him on.
It looks like he might soon.
Just as I ordered, Crouchy's up off the bench and should come on for Bellamy sooner rather than later.
Here the TALL one comes.
Off goes Bellamy
Liverpool are getting chances.
Good save by the hooded one
What happened there.
Drogs knocks out his own teammate.
It looks like Liverpool fans are throwing things.
And here comes Crouch for Bellamy. Why don't I earn the corn that Mourinho and Benitez do?
Your comment about the sound is a good one. I reckon the difference is in the miking of the commentary team. The ITV and BBC crews are actually there in the ground, so they pick up more ambient crowd noise whereas these two goobers are in some studio in New Jersey watching and commenting from a monitor, so their audio is just that little bit louder. Also notice that there is a noticeable difference in sound level when they stop talking.
The Aussies need 16 runs to win
Seven wickets in hand.
21 overs to get them.
I think they are there!!!!
Liverpool definitely deserve a goal here
Yeah, they're really taking the game to Chelski, who seem to have put the foot on the brakes. Strange stuff from Mourinho. Surely a one goal lead isn't enough to take to Anfield.
Probably need to change things with either Kalou or SWP at some point.
A lot of Route 1 stuff to Drogs from Chelski today.
I don't believe I am saying this but... Come on Liverpool
A lot of corners for Liverpool this half but little in the way of end product.
Would you prefer to see a United-Liverpool final to a United-Chelsea one?
I dnon't know.
I think I want Chels to go down though. I don't want them to win a lot.
I heard a rumor that Mourinho may be recruited to replace Sir Alex at the end of the season? What would you make of that change?
And the Aussies have beaten South Africa with seven wickets and eighteen overs to spare - wow!
No way
I don't think that was a foul on Cech
Ever since Cech's injury, referee's don't let anyone near him, especially a bleeding giraffe like Crouch.
Is Drogs hurt... for Saturday!!!
Here comes Kalou, wearing SWP's jersey no less! Probably Sheva to come off - he's been anonymous.
The Aussies have won by 7 wickets
with just under 20 overs to spare.
You should be getting the manager's pay.
Off comes Sheva
Drogs seems alright to me. And here comes Kalou for Sheva. It's another shite outing for the Ukrainian. The goal that Cole scored is the sort that you'd expected Sheva to pick up this season, but he just doesn't seem to have the killer instincts playing for Chelski that he did for Milan.
I ask you! It doesn't take tactical genius this stuff. Bellamy and Sheva were shocking.
What are your thoughts on the second leg in Milan?
I already answered that one, you wally! I think it'll be very tight. I don't think you can go there looking to close things down because you haven't got the defenders to do the job. You probably need to hit them early and make them chase the game. It'll be a shootout and could go either way. Of course I'll be backing United for what it's worth.
What a chance for Lamps.
Misseed your answer before.
Oh, that was good stuff from Chelski. Drogs lays off cutely to Lamps who volleys well but Reina's equal to it. Lamps could've had a hat-trick today.
Jermaine Pennant coming on for Alonso. He's been quiet tonight. Could be a good move. The service has been poor from the Liverpool midfield today, so he could make a difference.
I could see Chelski scoring another
I could too. SWP coming on. I'd take Drogs off just so he doesn't pick up a yellow and get himself suspended. He's been diving quite a bit today.
No, it's Joe Cole, coming off to a standing ovation. He's been great today.
Talking about yellows.
I am worried about yellows for next week.
I think Ron, Roon, Scholes and more have yellows. They could miss the final.
I don't think they should count for the final. You want the best to play in the final.
I agree. Bloody hell, SWP is useless. First, he can't control the ball and then he goes over in a heap. Should've been booked there. That was pure crap!
I hate Markus Merk. He's the wanker who denied us the win against Portugal in Euro 2004.
Crouchie break his nose again?
A nasty clash between Crouchy and Drogs there. I've seen him do that several times, jumping too high and then having to stoop to head the ball.
It's opening up now. Could be a late goal here for either side.
Two minutes of stoppage time.
Two minutes of added time. I thought there would be more.
This is not going to be a good result for Liverpool.
One-nil is not as good as it sounds.
Chelski score at Anfield and Liverpool would be in trouble.
Could be the last corner here....
oooh, that should have been a second goal. Drogs with a clear header but wide.
Full-time - 1-0. Like the other tie, it's on a knife's edge. Good chatting with you mate. I'll be around for those early morning matches on Saturday.
That's it.
Good to talk to you.
I will be here Saturday unless I go to a friend's house for Setanta.
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