Chelsea v Liverpool ratings May 01 2008
We rate the performance of both sets of players in the UEFA Champions League semi-final from Stamford Bridge...
CHELSEA
Petr Cech: Vital early save from Fernando Torres prevented Liverpool from making an early breakthrough. Then saved with his legs from Dirk Kuyt. Could do nothing about Torres' goal but should have saved Babel's shot. 6/10
Michael Essien: Playing at right-back, the Ghana international managed to get forward but attended to his defensive duties. Produced a mazy run through the Reds defence but shot into the side netting when he could have passed into the six-yard box. Prominent throughout and thought he had scored before he seen the offside flag. 9/10
John Terry: Imperious in defence. He commanded the back four strongly although they switched off at the start of the second half and were penalised. 8/10
Ricardo Carvalho: Worked well alongside Terry and held his nerve in trying conditions. 8/10
Ashley Cole: Managed to get forward as well as attending to his defence. 7/10
Frank Lampard: Threaded through an inch-perfect ball for Kalou which finished with Chelsea scoring the first goal. Was instrumental in every attack and tried to inspire his lacklustre team-mates in the second half. Scored pressure penalty. 8/10
Claude Makelele: Customary class. Played the simple ball well and did not abandon his areas. 8/10
Michaek Ballack: Inches wide with a free-kick just before half-time. Brought down for extra-time penalty. 7/10
Samoman Kalou: Directly involved in the goal as his shot brought a parry from Reina which was pounced on by Drogba. Substituted in the 70th minute. 7/10
Didier Drogba: Missed a glorious opportunity in the first half when he put the ball well wide with only the keeper to beat. However, he gave Reina no chance with the goal from a harder opportunity which he hit first time. Showed great presence of mind when he pounced for his second. Awesome strength and was constantly involved. 9/10
Joe Cole: Busy as ever but did not produce any special passes. Substituted. 6/10
Subs:
Florent Malouda: Replaced Kalou. Found himself in good positions but failed to deliver a good ball. 6/10
Nicolas Anelka: Replaced Joe Cole. Produced the pass which Drogba converted for the killer third goal. 7/10
Andriy Shevchenko: Replaced Frank Lampard in the 119th minute.
LIVERPOOL
Jose Reina: Alert enough to take the ball off Drogba's toes with the striker about to go through on goal. Tested from early on by the Blues and could do little about any of the goals. 7/10
Alvaro Arbeloa: Improved after half-time but not a performance to treasure. 6/10
Jamie Carragher: Over-run in the first half when up against Drogba but did better after the break. Marshalled the defence well. Made crucial last-ditch tackle on Drogba but was caught out by the same player when he came across the defender to score Chelsea's third. 6/10
Martin Skrtel: Went off injured after 21 minutes. Missed. 6/10
John Arne Riise: Not well positioned for the goal. Did not stand out in any way. 6/10
Dirk Kuyt: Was thwarted by Cech when he appeared likely to equalise at the start of the second half. Busy but rarely threatened otherwise. 6/10
Xabi Alonso: An average game with the Spaniard showing little. Had a good chance in extra time. 6/10
Javier Mascherano: Not one of his better games as his engine outshone his other qualities. 6/10
Yossi Benayoun: Produced a twisting run and provided the ball for Torres to get the leveller. Substituted in the 78th minute. 7/10
Steven Gerrard: Virtually invisible in the first half but improved after the break. Less influential than normal. 6/10
Fernando Torres: Had been quiet but then gathered the ball and shot past Cech to score the equaliser. Surprisingly substituted in 98th minute. 7/10
Subs:
Sami Hyypia: Replaced Skrtel. Had a good header in injury time but gave away penalty with tackle on Ballack. Unlucky not to get a spot-kick after incident with Drogba. 6/10
Jermaine Pennant: Replaced Benayoun. Lots of effort but produced little of note. 6/10
Ryan Babel: Replaced Torres but Chelsea were in the ascendancy. Hit a long-range shot to bring the Reds back into the game. 7/10