Chelsea through to semi-finals
20th December, 2007
Chelsea have booked their place in the semi-finals with a 2-0 win over Liverpool on Wednesday night. Peter Crouch was red carded in the second half as the second-string Liverpool team went down on a cold night.
The match started as most do between the big sides, with both teams closing each other down quickly, giving little time on the ball. Liverpool sat back and let Chelsea come at them, whilst trying to counter when they got an opportunity.
The inexperienced keeper Charles Itandje did well, keeping out a host of good shots from the Chelsea players, including Kalou, Lampard and Essien. Cech also performed, keeping out Liverpool’s best opportunities.
Midway through the first half, Shevchenko threaded a ball through to Lampard, who had his shot cruelly deflected past the keeper to make it 1-0. Only a minute later Crouch was sent off for a wild challenge on Mikel, jumping in two-footed and getting nowhere near the ball.
With 10 men Liverpool hardly threatened, and Chelsea finished the game off with a good finish from Shevchenko to make the game 2-0.
Chelsea are now favourites to win the cup, at 11/8 with Betfred, with Arsenal not surprisingly second favourite at 9/4. Spurs and Everton are both around the 4/1 mark to win the cup.
