The Hindu : Sport / Football : Chelsea and Liverpool in first-leg deadlock

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Friday, Apr 29, 2005

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Chelsea and Liverpool in first-leg deadlock

LONDON: Chelsea and Liverpool played to a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Champions League semifinals on Wednesday, with scoring opportunities limited amid a tough midfield battle.

Chelsea had the better possession, but Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard wasted good opportunities to score and Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek didn't have a save to make.

The Reds also had the stronger chances, with only a reflex save by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech stopping Milan Baros' header.

The first half set the tone for Wednesday's match — a fast-paced midfield duel, with end-to-end play, but strong defence on both sides.

Drogba let a good chance slip in the 14th minute when he chose to pass across the face of goal to Eidur Gudjohnsen rather than shoot. The ball went wide.

Lampard also missed a strong chance in the 23rd, sidefooting the ball over the bar from close range after Joe Cole had headed down a William Gallas cross into the box.

Liverpool had the best chance of the first half, with Cech diving to his right to make a one-handed block on Baros' 38th-minute header.

Cech also shepherded another shot from Baros to safety and blocked an attempt by John Arne Riise with his chest.

Chelsea midfielder Tiago, playing in place of the injured Damian Duff, failed to connect with a John Terry cross in the box close to halftime. Chelsea had more of the ball early in the second half, but failed to finish attacks, even when Arjen Robben came on for Tiago in the 59th.

Dudek nearly let in an embarrassing goal — racing to his line to clear a forward ball by Cole which took an unexpected bounce.

Djibril Cisse sent a powerful shot over the bar in the 68th, just minutes after he had replaced Baros. Cole, one of Chelsea's most creative players, was replaced by Mateja Kezman in the 78th minute. Seconds later, Kezman was shown a yellow card for a foul on Dimi Traore.

In front of goal in the 82nd, Kezman kicked the ball into the air while being closed down by Liverpool defenders Jamie Carragher and Traore. — AP

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