Cech: Blues have upper hand April 29 2008
Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech admits their "bonus" away goal at Liverpool has put the Blues in the driving seat to reach the UEFA Champions League final.
Avram Grant's side looked to be heading to Stamford Bridge with a 1-0 deficit from the first leg but John Arne Riise's injury-time own-goal squared the semi-final tie and handed the west Londoners the advantage in the return match.
Cech is aware that an away goal in Europe is worth its weight in gold and is confident of shutting out Rafael Benitez's team in the second leg which would ensure Chelsea's progress to the showpiece final in Moscow.
"It was a bonus for us," the Czech star said in the Daily Express when asked about Riise's gaffe. "You realise that it has all changed.
"One-nil down is not one of the best results you can get away from home. But 1-1 is a good result because you know that if you keep a clean sheet at home you are through.
"We went there and wanted to score an away goal, because that is always important in the Champions League.
"We said afterwards we like that result, because we were 1-0 down, but we showed character and put in a good effort, especially in the second half."