We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
The perennial rivals Chelski and Costa Del Pool return to Stamford Bridge for what seems like the umpteenth time they've played this season. Chelski certainly have the upper-hand after that spectacular John Arne Riise that ended last week's first leg. Who will advance to the first ever all-English Champion's League final? Join me to find out!
posted by gatorbob @ 2:33 PM
We are all former students at Lakenheath High School and other public schools in East Anglia. We were in school in the 70s and 80s and drank deeply from the well of British culture of those decades - the pints, the telly, and of course the footie!
128 Comments:
Chelsea: Cech, Essien, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Joe Cole, Ballack, Makelele, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba
Subs: Cudicini, Shevchenko, Obi, Malouda, Alex, Belletti, Anelka
Liverpool: Reina, Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Riise, Kuyt, Alonso, Mascherano, Benayoun, Gerrard, Torres
Subs: Itandje, Finnan, Hyypia, Crouch, Pennant, Babel, Lucas
Referee: Roberto Rosetti (Italy)
It's surprising to see Torres up front with only Kuyt in support. Liverpool need a goal and they haven't scored in their last eight visits to the Bridge. You'd think that Chelski would be able to gut out a 0-0 fairly easily. Once again Crouchie has to be satisfied with a place on the bench.
Uh oh, the feed on ESPN2 seems to be behind the action. It's 7:45 GMT, Football 365 indicates that the sides have kicked off and yet we're still farting about looking at Rafa's goatee.
Liverpool will have to score early to open this one up, otherwise you can't imagine the Blues really going for it.
Drogba has the first real shot in anger, which Reina palms round the post. Comfortable save but at least some signs of life in the match.
It looks as if the torrential rain is starting to have an effect on the roll and bounce of the ball.
The commentators are talking about this as end to end stuff, but although the tempo is quite frenetic, there's little quality to the football and most of the action is around the center circle.
Torres is put through by Gerrard, but the angle is wide and Cech saves well.
Drogba was almost in there, but Reina acted as the sweeper and cleared his lines.
Skrtel seems to be in trouble. He's limped off and is receiving treatment.
Carvalho is penalized for an elbow to Torres's head. Dangerous free kick here with Gerrard and Riise setting up behind it.
I'd love this to go in.
But Riise hits it straight into the wall. A pathetic effort from last week's goat.
Lamps plays a delicious ball through to Drogs and he really should have done better slicing it wide of the right hand post.
Essien tests Reina from lost range.
And Skrtel is finally limping off to be replaced by Sami Hyppia.
Come on you Hammers!
Heya, Trev. I assume you're referring to JT, Joey Cole, and Lamps - the late members of your academy. Do you really want Chelsea in the final? I can't believe that a team that's been so inspiring this season could possibly end up with a domestic and European double.
Hey Bob, I am here after school.
You has been on top?
Coming up on half an hour gone. It has to be said that Chelski have dominated possession. As I suspected, Torres has been isolated up front and they'll really need to change things in the second half to make an impression. The forced substitution of Hyppia for Skrtel doesn't help matters, as it leaves Rafa with only two subs left.
Was John Terry a member of the WHUFC Youth Academy as well? I know we had Carrick and Rio in yesterday's match.
I'm anticipating Saturday and the thumping we're going to give Ronaldo et al! . . . I'm praying Newcastle can do the business to the Blues.
Was John Terry a member of the WHUFC Youth Academy as well? I know we had Carrick and Rio in yesterday's match.
I'm anticipating Saturday and the thumping we're going to give Ronaldo et al! . . . I'm praying Newcastle can do the business to the Blues.
Hi, Dave! I'd say Chelsea. They've five or six shots on goal and have kept possession well in the middle of the park. I reckon that Rafa has been negative in his team selection and it's hurting Liverpool.
Which do you think is better for my lot and the league.
Knocking the stuffing out of Chelsea and have them lose or have Chelsea only having the league to win if they lose.
OR
Chelsea win and they are pumped up or not only having the league to win
I thought JT was one of those Dagenham lads who went through the West Ham academy. He never played for the Hammers but I thought they'd raised. I may be wrong.
I'm forever blowing bubbles . . .
GOAL! Kalou with an excellent chance, well saved by Reina, but Drogs nets the rebound. Chelski now firmly in the driver's seat!
Drogs with the goal.
Doesn't change much for Costa
SHUT IT ABOUT WEST HAM AND UNITED!!!!
Alright, Rafa, you need a bloody goal now, mate! Stop your farting about with Kuyt and Benayoun. They won't do the job.
I remember the last time United made the European Cup Final, we drew 1-1 at home but we fell behind by one and then by two and there was no difference. We just had to score two.
Liverpool do still just need to score
As I said yesterday, I still think the Arse have an outside chance of nicking the championship.
Bob, I got this from Tony today
did you know that the decision about
Leeds' points deduction will be made Thursday 1 May at 5:00 pm
our time .
GOOD LUCK!!!
Yes, but as I said earlier, Liverpool haven't scored at the Bridge in their last eight visits. They're in real trouble and I just don't understand leaving a goalscorer like Crouch on the bench when you need goals.
Okay, then, I'll be biting my fingernails tomorrow afternoon.
I give you nice thoughts about the league and throw that in my face!!!
Hey lads . . . I'm going to have to get back to work . . . I had taped the match yesterday and enjoyed watching United go through . . . I promise, Davey, I'll be rooting for Newcastle with all my heart Saturday!
Me too! Cheer, Trev!
AND MY LOT ON SATURDAY!!!
Get back to work
What can I say, Dave? Arsenal play better footie than United and there's no one on Arsenal that I hate like Ronaldo. I would rather see United win than Chelski, though. How's that?
BTW, Newcastle play Chelski on Monday
Stick it up your left nostril!!!!
Another great run from Kalou before he's hacked by Alonso.
Looks like Drogs to take...
No, it's Bollocks and he hits the stanchion.
Bollocks goes close... he didn't argue with Drogs before hand
Just being honest!
Stick it up your RIGHT NOSTRIL!!!
Half time: 1-0 Chelsea (2-1 on agg.)
You could say that Liverpool only need one goal to take it to extra time but can you really see them scoring with the side that Rafa has put out? I can't.
Half time
Advantage Chelski
2033: According to BBC Radio 5 Live, Steven Gerrard pushed Avram Grant over as the Liverpool skipper looked to get the ball back from the Chelsea manager on the touchline. The cameras didn't catch it unfortunately.
Nice to see Stevie Nichol on the panel. Go on, you Revvies!
Nice one, Stevie G.!
Second half to start.
IT IS BUCKETING DOWN!!!
Second half starting...
Good old English rain!
It's not raining, it's London crying
Do you think Drogs will go in the summer?
Fergie's there. I wonder if he's got a bag of Pick 'n' Mix with him.
ooh, Costa almost in there
another scramble.
Come on Costa
Kuyt nearly got in there but he needed more conviction with the flick.
From the resulting corner, there's a huge ruck in the penalty with Drogs helping to clear the lines.
I think Drogs will go to where Jose is
Signs of life from Pool?
But where will that be?
How about Old Trafford???
SAF wins the CL and then Jose takes over.
I actually don't want him.
2052: "Liverpool still only need the one goal they required at the start to put this tie back on a knife-edge. There is a sense of both anticipation and tension around Stamford Bridge - and isn't it good to see an old-fashioned English mudbath? Avram Grant looks none the worse for his ungainly tumble into the dug-out thank goodness."
Ooh, that was a nice move. Drogs crossing from wide left, Ballack knocking down for Lamps, who shot straight at Reina.
No, I reckon it's either Martin O'Neill or one of the United old boys for you lot whenever Fergie rides off into the sunset.
Time for Crouchie, surely!
I agree about United's new manager
I think Crouch should play much more
This is just like last night. Everything on knife's edge
Riise's laughing at some chant from the Chelski faithful. But what is it? Can you hear it?
Last night was more precarious because there hadn't been an away goal in the first leg. If Barca had scored in the last five minutes, it'd been curtains for your lot. Tonight, both sides with have the benefit of extra and penalties if Liverpool score.
I didn't hear the cheer.
As for the game, last night one goal would change it all. Tonight isn't the case.
London's still crying. Crikey!
Joe Cole with a snapshot but straight at Reina.
GOAL! Yes! It's Torres with a lethal finish.
YES!!!
COSTA SCORES!!!
Great finish after a great run by Yosi
Was he offside? It was very very tight.
It'll definitely go to penalties now. No doubt.
That was a handball at the edge of the box. Maybe not by Terry
I think there will be another goal.
I hope so, I have to go to Tom's game at 4:30
Commentator quotes DelBoy Trotter of Only Fools and Horses
He who dares, wins!!!
Hey, SAF is keeping dry
Torres almost gets another chance. Now one was at the top of the box to pass it back to
Did you see the game last night on FSC?
'94 Brazil team vs some Hungarian team
Boy did they look old
We just had our first outdoor game this weekend and we are older than them.
Can you imagine how bad we look!!!
No, I saw it advertised but didn't tune in. Who was on the Brazil side - Romario? Dunga?
I only recognized Babettto
Fifteen minutes left - where's Crouchie?
Oh yeah, I'm sure he looked ancient.
Great run by Ess
Unbelievable run from Essien after a lovely flick from Cole. But into the side netting at the end.
Pennant on for Benayoun. Not the substitution I was looking for. I'd have had Babel on for Benayoun.
Pennant on not Crouchie.
He has to leave in the summer
Surely a booking there for Makelele.
He was never ten yards away
Bollocks is hurt.
Let's hope he doesn't play on Monday
Kuyt went in late on Cech there. No card?
Do you think away goals should count in extra time?
I don't think they should. It is unfair. The away team has 30 minutes extra to score a goal.
I think they should count up until full time and then no.
YOU?
Costa score and it will be all over. They should go for it
I agree with you. The slate should be wiped clean when it comes to extra time. However, I do still like a Golden Goal or even Silver Goal rule in extra time.
Either side score and it's all over at this point.
Gerrard's down with cramp.
I don't know what is better.
They need to figure a way to stop the teams being too negative
I have to leave.
Good to spend the afternoon with you.
Best of luck tomorrow.
See you on the weekend
Cheers, mate.
Before I go let's have a Cashley OG
And that's it. Regulation time is over. 1-1 it is and we'll go on to extra time here at the Bridge.
The sides are back out and Chelski have stuck Anelka on.
Gerrard delivers a corner over and Hyppia had a free header but hit it wide.
Drogba gets away for a split second but Carra gets back magnificently. Why on earth isn't he in the England set up?
GOAL! From the resulting corner, Anelka has a header saved but it comes out to Essien who drills it home.
No, I believe that it's been called back for offside on Drogs who was standing in front of Reina. Avram Grant is incensed on the bench.
Penalty! Hyppia trips up Ballack on the edge of the box and it's a penalty to Chelski.
Ballack of course to take. No, I can't believe it. It's Lamps. I'd always go German on penalties. Big time pressure on Lamps.
And he makes no mistake. Now it is 3-2 Chelsea on aggregate.
Fernando Torres has inexplicably been taken off for Babel.
Babel is straight into the action and demanding a penalty. Essien did catch Babel there but he also got a bit of the ball. I've seen them given but the referee doesn't.
Free header from the resulting corner. Alonso straight at Cech. This is gripping stuff!
Now it's on a knife's edge. A Liverpool goal would certainly put them through as Chelsea would need to score again.
The problem is that Liverpool now have no out and out strikers on the park, just Kuyt and Babel playing wide and Gerrard bombing through the middle from deep. Weird set up but it doesn't really matter. The game's really opened up at this point.
Avram Grant is twenty minutes away from doing something that The Special One could never do - take Chelski to a Champions League final. Who would have predicted that?
GOAL! Great goal from Drogs. Super interplay on the left between Anelka and Essien and when the ball comes over the big man makes no mistake. Riise looked poor on that. Surely, that's Chelski into the final now. 4-2 on aggregate. Shame.
That was the last action of the first extra period. It's a big mountain for Liverpool to climb here. They've done it before in the CL but it'll take a lot.
It'll be one way traffic now with Liverpool searching out two goals in the last fifteen minutes.
Corner now for Liverpool....
And Essien knocks it out for another corner. Intense pressure now.
Hyppia goes down in the box under a challenge from Drogs. I think that that was a penalty but the ref's not having it.
Mascherano fouls Malouda on the edge of the box. Dangerous free kick opportunity here. Ballack came close before. I'd fancy him again.
It's Drogba this time and he thumps it straight into the wall.
Under ten minutes here.
It looks like Liverpool have thrown in the towel at this point. Chelski having a bit a knock about.
GOAL! And it's game on. Babel launches a strike from range that you would expect Cech to save but he's bobbled it in the net. It's 4-3 on aggregate. Another goal will win it for Pool. Amazing scenes here!
They've got about three minutes to do it.
Wow, it's Sheva coming on for an unexpected appearance and Lamps is making way.
One minute of stoppage time left. Chelski have the ball - can they hang on to it?
Liverpool get it back off Sheva and will bring it back....
No, it's all over. Chelski are through 4-3 on aggregate.
A bit unlucky on Pool in the end, although Chelski were marginally better. If that penalty had been given, it might have been very different.
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