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Guest Anders Honoré
The Times:

Reina keeps Anfield rocking while Mourinho is left to make excuses

 

Liverpool 1 Chelsea 0

Matt Dickinson, Chief Football Correspondent

 

No phantom goal and, surely this time, no excuses from José Mourinho. If only. The Chelsea manager left Anfield proclaiming that the better team lost once again last night, rewriting an incredible evening of drama in which Liverpool deservedly marched into the Champions League final.

 

The great conspiracist was entitled to be hugely disappointed after watching half the quadruple go up in smoke in four days, but his postmatch claims of ?dominance? at Anfield did not stand up to the briefest scrutiny.

 

For all but a few short spells, Liverpool were the better team, taking the game to Chelsea, seizing the lead and creating the best of what few chances there were before the game went to penalties. But for a marginal offside decision against Dirk Kuyt, they might even have been spared the shoot-out. Liverpool?s confidence from 12 yards, both from the shooters and the inspired José Manuel Reina, was in keeping with most of what had preceded it on a wild, raucous night.

 

Chelsea had shown signs of exhaustion in their recent concession of the title to Manchester United and, faced with a Liverpool team of tireless endeavour last night, with Jamie Carragher, Daniel Agger and Steven Gerrard outstanding, it was hard to think of a single player in Mourinho?s team who played close to his best.

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* Liverpool find seventh heaven

 

In those circumstances, it was to their credit that they took the tie to extra time, but there were echoes of their defeat here two years ago, when tired legs as much as a dubious goal cost them in that semi-final. If only Chelsea had made more of their first-leg dominance, the likes of John Terry and Frank Lampard might have been spared the cruelty of a third exit at this stage in four years.

 

Instead, it is Liverpool and Rafael BenÍtez who head for Athens and the possibility of a North West derby against Manchester United that will challenge the local constabulary.

 

Such a climax to the season will do well to match last night?s sound and fury, which had begun long before kick-off. Never bashful, Mourinho responded to the cacophony of jeers and whistles with a little clap. Suffice to say it went down as well as a similar gesture at the Nou Camp.

 

The idea that his team might be rattled by the raucousness of a febrile occasion had seemed fanciful, but something made Chelsea unusually subdued in the first 30 minutes. They shook off that torpor ? they had to ? but only after Agger?s 22nd-minute goal had levelled the aggregate score.

 

Perhaps Chelsea were confident that Liverpool would blow themselves out with an early storm, but if that was a deliberate strategy it seemed a risky one as they fell behind to a cleverly worked free kick. Joe Cole had conceded it by scything down Gerrard. Punishment was considerable as Gerrard rolled a low free kick across the face of the penalty area for Agger, unmarked, to stroke left-footed into the bottom corner. Anfield went wild and so did the centre half who had been so comprehensively out-muscled by Didier Drogba at Stamford Bridge.

 

Chances were infrequent but tackles were not. Gerrard barged Terry over, England captain indicating that vice-captain had led with an elbow. Ashley Cole was cautioned for felling Jermaine Pennant, a close pal from their days as Arsenal apprentices. Friends and international teammates were enemies for a night.

 

Mourinho had promised that his team would scare Liverpool, but it took them a while to do so. Drogba escaped Agger?s attentions after 32 minutes but went for power rather than precision. His shot bounced straight back off Reina.

 

Liverpool were not exactly tearing Chelsea apart, but vindication for BenÍtez?s unexpected strategy of starting with Pennant had come not only with the first-half lead but in the chances created for Kuyt and Peter Crouch early in the second period. Cech saved from Crouch, Kuyt rattled the bar to 40,000 gasps.

 

It was not all Liverpool. Gerrard was having to do two shifts ? bursting forward one minute, charging back to sweep up the next ? but not even the heroic Liverpool captain could be everywhere. When he was not on hand, Carragher was to turn Ashley Cole?s cutback over the crossbar, foiling Drogba once again and taking the tie into extra time.

 

Mourinho threw on Arjen Robben and Shaun Wright-Phillips in the hope of seizing a late winner and the failure to grab it might yet place the Portuguese?s job in jeopardy. Only Roman Abramovich knows for sure and he was strangely absent last night.

 

Mourinho should have done more than credit Liverpool for ?fighting hard?. Reaching two Champions League finals in three seasons is not a coincidence ? and nor is the fact that Chelsea lost both times.

 

Spanish hero always spot on

 

José Manuel Reina, the hero of last night?s shoot-out, has a fine record with penalties. The Liverpool goalkeeper is a penalty-taker?s nightmare

 

? Reina saved seven of nine penalties for Villarreal in 2004-05

 

? In last year?s FA Cup Final against West Ham United, Reina saved three of four penalties ? by Bobby Zamora, Paul Konchesky and Anton Ferdinand ? in Liverpool?s shoot-out victory

 

? Chelsea became the latest team to fall foul of the Liverpool goalkeeper last night. Reina saved two of three penalties ? by Arjen Robben and Gérémi

 

? Liverpool have won ten of their 11 penalty shoot-outs and have a habit of breaking new ground. They won the first European Cup final to go to a penalty shoot-out (beat AS Roma in 1984), the first League Cup final to be decided by penalties (beat Birmingham City in 2001), the first FA Cup semi-final to go to spot-kicks (beat Portsmouth in 1992) and the first Charity Shield to go to a penalty shoot-out (beat Leeds United in 1974). Last night they won only the third semi-final in Europe?s senior club competition to feature a shoot-out.

 

? Last week, Liverpool?s youngsters beat Manchester United on penalties to win the FA Youth Cup

 

Words by Bill Edgar

Edited by Anders Honoré
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BITTER JOSE BOTTOM OF THE CLASS

Oliver Holt Chief Sports Writer 02/05/2007

 

 

JOSE MOURINHO blamed injuries. He blamed bad luck. He blamed penalties.

 

He blamed Liverpool for defending too much. He blamed Rafa Benitez for concentrating on the Champions League.

 

He blamed Chelsea for not scoring enough goals in the first leg and made it sound as if that was Liverpool's fault, too.

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He mentioned several times, as casually as he could, that he had won the European Cup.

 

But he said most generously that that did not stop him feeling the pain of his shattered players, most of whom had not won it.

 

And when he was asked if he wished Liverpool luck for the final, he said, no.

 

He had too much respect for whoever their opponent would be to do something like that, he said.

 

Gracious in defeat Mourinho was not. Not even close. Not that we expected him to be. Not even he could claim this time that Liverpool had not scored as Daniel Agger's clipped shot bulged the back of the net.

 

But he did everything he could to convey the idea that Chelsea had been cheated of their divine right to appear in the final.

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His attitude did a disservice to his players who had run like demons and fought like tigers.

 

John Terry was magnificent at the heart of defence, Didier Drogba ran until he dropped, Frank Lampard showed the nerve and style of a class act.

 

But just like he did two years ago, Mourinho tried to start the process of cheating history.

 

He tried to deny the winners their due. But if he thought his stance would take attention away from a season that is lurching towards failure, he was wrong.

 

By anyone else's standards, Chelsea have had another stellar year, vying for four trophies until late into April. But the team that cost hundreds of millions is staring blankly at the apocalyptic scenario of clinging only to the Carling Cup for solace.

 

Since peace was declared between Mourinho and the Chelsea board, the club's season has fallen apart.

 

Outlasted by Manchester United in the Premiership, they have been knocked out of the Champions League by Mourinho's most-hated domestic rival.

 

And though Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon has pledged Mourinho will not be sacked, we do not know whether Roman Abramovich feels the same.

 

It seemed strange Abramovich was not at Anfield. His absence suggests his passion for the club is not quite what it was. Or certainly, that his enthusiasm for his manager is not what it was. He will not be happy with his return from this season.

 

And nor will he be thrilled at Chelsea's lack of panache. Once again, they were solid and relentless but never did they threaten to take the game to Liverpool.

 

Mourinho insisted they showed ambition, that they were the team trying to win, but that perception was shared by few of those within Anfield.

 

But if Liverpool could point to inspired performances from half of their side, Chelsea could highlight only Terry and Lampard in the same vein.

 

Having backed Mourinho so clearly, it would be a major surprise if they jettisoned him over the summer. But even if Chelsea win the FA Cup, it will only lend a superficial sheen to a season of under-achievement.

 

Mourinho has to be judged only by the highest standards after the money he has been allowed to spend. His gamble on changing his team against Bolton last Saturday to save players for last night's game backfired spectacularly. And there will be no shortage of those queuing up to say that the Special One has lost his sheen.

 

Not that he was tempted to start trying to win friends and influence people last night. When he was asked what Benitez had got that he had not, what had helped Benitez get to two finals in the last three years when he had not reached any, Mourinho sneered: "We have two Premiership titles in the last three years and they have none."

 

We have welcomed the colour, spirit and character Mourinho has brought to the Premiership since he arrived from Porto.

 

But on nights like last night, it is awfully difficult to say anything other than he appeared childish, churlish, bitter and sad.

 

If he is looking for people to blame for last night's defeat, he should look at giants like Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher first. And then at himself.

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I like the fact that pretty much all the national press has lambasted Maureen for his bizarre and bitter comments.

 

Also like the fact that a couple reports say that the decision to dis-allow Kuyt's goal was dubious.

 

One report mentioned Cole and Drogba's histrionics (think it was in the Times).

 

Finally liked the fact that in acknowledging how good Mascherano was, one reporter wrote that Curbishly and Pardew will both forever be stained by the fact that they refused to play him.

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i find it weird that Lampard & Terry are always mentioned together in articles like Holt's (above).. Terry i can understand as he's been an immense player the last few yeaars but Lampard doesn't do enough to be mentioned alongside him every time, almost without fail.. for instance, last night he was s*** so why does he get a special mention.. Lampard's a good player but he's not great - he's in the level below the calibre of player Terry is.. not that i'll lose sleep over it mind.. :unsure:

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BBC's Phil Mcnulty on Rafa...

 

Benitez the master of Europe

European Football | Liverpool

by Phil McNulty - BBC Sport 02 May 2007

 

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Rafael Benitez may struggle to return the Premiership to what Liverpool regards as its spiritual home - but a journey to the Champions League final on a regular basis more than makes up for that gap in his collection.

 

Benitez was quizzed about his lack of a title in the after-glow of yet another semi-final triumph over his arch-rival Jose Mourinho.

 

He admitted it was tough with Manchester United and Chelsea winning almost every week, but he can more than handle the demands of the Champions League.

 

And so it proved again as Anfield celebrated another wild European night in front of The Kop.

 

Benitez knew his team had got it wrong at Stamford Bridge - but he scented blood once Chelsea only established a one-goal lead.

 

He spoke with an open confidence he rarely demonstrates, and his team backed his words once the slipshod and nervous early exchanges were over.

 

Benitez is not always the amiable nice guy seen by the cameras. He is ruthless and does not take kindly to being crossed, which is clearly what he felt he had been by Mourinho.

 

This was no footballing classic. It was never going to be.

 

But Benitez once again confounded those of us who looked at his team-sheet and questioned his approach.

 

No Xabi Alonso. Two wingers in the inconsistent shape of Jermaine Pennant and the largley ineffective Bolo Zenden.

 

And yet it all became clear very quickly.

 

Steven Gerrard was restored to a marauding midfield role after spending time on the margins, while Javier Mascherano was biting and snapping in around Chelsea's heels.

 

The pairing of Alonso and Mascherano was too similar at Chelsea, too deep. Benitez remedied the problem and was rewarded with a bristling display from the Argentine.

 

Mascherano's distribution is not perfect, but he loves a tackle, as several Chelsea players discovered.

 

It was impossible to recognise him from the dispirited figure witnessed at West Ham earlier this season.

 

Benitez regards himself as an arch-strategist, and the two-leg format suits him and Liverpool perfectly.

 

They proved it against Juventus and Chelsea in 2005 and this year favourites Barcelona and Chelsea again have perished on Benitez's drawing board.

 

Liverpool were the team creating the clearer chances, despite Mourinho's claim that Chelsea were the better side.

 

As for the final, Benitez will have to make some tough tactical choices whether they play AC Milan or Manchester United.

 

But he can usually be relied upon to fashion a result when an occasion demands it - and is occasionally followed by the odd stroke of good fortune every successful manager needs.

 

Manchester United would provide a sterner attacking test than Chelsea did, and Benitez's choice in midfield and attack will be key against either them or the Italians.

 

But after winning the Uefa Cup in his final season with Valencia and already claiming one Champions League for Liverpool, don't bet against another winning strategy in Athens.

 

And then on Jose...

 

Mourinho the deluded one

 

News conference: Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho

News conference: Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez

 

By Phil McNulty

Chief football writer at Anfield

 

 

 

Mourinho maintained his side were superior - they were not

Jose Mourinho was stripped of his self-appointed status as the special one and became the deluded one as Liverpool visited another Champions League nightmare upon Chelsea.

 

Mourinho's disappointment was understandable, as he had to swallow a second semi-final defeat in front of an Anfield gallery that has taken particular exception to his unique, outspoken personality.

 

But it took all of Mourinho's brass neck and some very thick blue-tinted spectacles to sit and declare - without any sign of his tongue drilling a hole in his cheek - that the best team lost and that Chelsea were truly deserving of a place in the Athens final.

 

 

Nonsense. Every word of it.

 

 

If Mourinho truly believed Chelsea were the stronger team, the team pressing inexorably for victory, the team throwing men forward at set pieces to secure the goal that would have made a final place certain, he kids no-one but himself.

 

606: DEBATE

Your thoughts on Benitez and Mourinho

 

Mourinho's self-belief is iron-clad, but in this instance he simply used it as a shield against what was a grim reality for Chelsea.

 

 

"Chelsea tried to win it in 90 minutes. Chelsea tried to win it in extra time. The best team was the team in blue," he said.

 

Liverpool were the side that deserved the win

 

 

And on it went in an assessment that was nothing short of bemusing.

 

 

Liverpool were the side that deserved the win, even if it came in the awful lottery of penalties.

 

 

Rafael Benitez's side showed the greater verve and variety - just look at the work-sheet of the two goalkeepers if you want proof.

 

 

Pepe Reina, before his penalty heroics, made a fine save from Didier Drogba and endured the odd skirmish around the six-yard area.

 

 

Chelsea counterpart Petr Cech was beaten by Daniel Agger's first-half strike, saved brilliantly from Peter Crouch and watched Dirk Kuyt's header hit a post.

 

Dutch striker Kuyt also saw a goal ruled out by a marginal offside and brought a fine save from Cech in the final seconds after he was played in by Robbie Fowler.

 

 

Agger (left) scored the only goal at Anfield

 

Chelsea, in the real world away from the place Mourinho appeared to be occupying, were brave, resilient, and only the hardest heart would not feel a tinge of sympathy for men like John Terry and Claude Makelele.

 

 

But they were pedestrian, unambitious, and seemed to have a simple plan A aimed at securing a goalless draw.

 

 

Once that went west, plan B was a horribly basic approach of hoofing the ball in the general direction of Didier Drogba and crossing fingers that these scraps would lead to a feast.

 

 

It did not work and never looked like working, hence general astonishment at Mourinho's swiftly drawn up attempt to re-write history.

 

Win tickets to the FA Cup final in our photo competition

 

Chelsea ultimately paid the price for failing to kill Liverpool off in the first match at Stamford Bridge, a game Mourinho was well within his rights to say his team dominated.

 

 

This game was Liverpool's and Benitez's. They will not care one jot for the somewhat bizarre analysis offered up by Mourinho.

 

 

Liverpool, fuelled by another firecracker of an Anfield atmosphere, deserved their place in the final.

 

 

And after the miracle of Istanbul in 2005, who would bet against Benitez making it a remarkable two Champions League wins in three seasons at Liverpool?

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