MELODRAMATIC

Last night was a disappointment for me. My favorite team which is Liverpool lost to Chelsea in their second leg match of European Champion League with 5-7 aggregate. What a total waste. Earlier last week at Anfield, Liverpool lost to Chelsea 1-3. Shock by their defeat, last night the Reds began their performance with a promising one. They lead the game by 2-0 in the first half. The first goal was from Fabio Aurelio after 18 minutes of play. He swung in a free kick on the right touchline but instead of delivering a cross to his team-mates in the middle, he arrowed in a cleverly disguised shot to Petr Cech’s near post and the Czech shot-stopper, who had drifted out of his line towards the back post, was left flailing for the ball as it trickled into the back of the net. The Blues failed to respond as the Reds continued to push forward and ten minutes later, they amazingly made it 2-0. And it was yet again another free kick from the right from Aurelio which caused all the mayhem when he floated in a cross to the middle this time and Chelsea’s first leg hero, Branislav Ivanovic wrestled Xabi Alonso to the ground and Spanish referee, Luis Medina Cantalejo did not hesitate pointing to the spot. Alonso stepped up and took the penalty himself and smashed it to his left corner with authority, sending Cech the wrong way. The aggregate tie was now leveled at 3-3 but Chelsea still had the away goal advantage.

On 50 minutes, Hiddink’s men finally responded as they pulled one back. Anelka drilled in a low cross from the right and Drogba nicked in just ahead of Martin Skrtel to get to slightest of touches to divert it past Reina, but the Spaniard had to be held accountable as he spilled the ball into this own net at his near post. Five minutes later, the Stamford Bridge faithful were up on their feet again when they thought Drobga had the ball in the back of the net. The Ivory Coast hitman curled in a freekick from 20 yards out but it only rippled the side netting. Sixty seconds after that, however, it was 2-2. And it was off a free kick from an almost identical range and distance, except, it was Alex who pummeled in an unstoppable pile driver with the outside of his right boot as the ball swerved away from the outstretched hands of Reina into the top of the goal.

It was indeed game over 15 minutes from time when Lampard stabbed home Drogba’s low cross from close range. Or so one thought. With 10 minutes left on the clock, Benitez’s men sensationally clawed their way back into the game. First, Lucas made it 3-3 on the night when his speculative effort outside the box took a wicked deflection off Essien and wrong-footed Cech. And merely two minutes later, Kuyt set up a tense finale when he easily out jumped a static Carvalho to meet Albert Riera’s cross and nodded a bullet header past the Czech goalkeeper. On 88 minutes, however, it really would be curtains this time when Anelka’s pull back found Lampard, and the stand-in captain smacked in a first time shot across goal past Reina and the ball pinged into the back of the net off the inside of the post.

After 90 minutes of play, the referee blew the final whistle and the Blues marched their way to the semi-final of the Champion League 7-5 on aggregate where they will meet Barcelona. It was a disappointment because one might think Liverpool had their chances to beat Chelsea when they first lead by 2-0 and later on in second half by 4-3. But, it was luck in Chelsea side and Liverpool should never be ashamed of their defeat. It was a dramatic moment though.