blog.great-save.com

By Danny Wright

Liverpool edged Arsenal out of the Champions League quarter-finals with a 4-2 win at Anfield, Rafa Benetiz’s men progressing 5-3 on aggregate. With the away goal advantage, Liverpool were complacent and let their lead slip as Arsenal took the lead through Abou Diaby, who beat a suspect looking Pepe Reina at his near post. Veteran centre back Sami Hyypia was the unlikely source to get things back in Liverpool’s favour, his free header making it 1-1. Fernando Torres then brought the game to life with a superb shot on the turn but Theo Walcott, on as a substitute, went on a barnstorming run from his own half to set up Emmanuel Adebayor to score. Adebayor had been guilty of an awful miss moments prior to that and his side were punished by Steven Gerrard, who converted from the penalty spot after Kolo Toure tugged back Ryan Babel. As Arsenal poured men forward, Babel went through on his own to seal his side’s spot in the semi-finals for the third consecutive season.

Liverpool’s opponents will be the same for the third consecutive season too, as they face up to Chelsea once again after their 2-0 (3-2 aggregate) win over Fenerbahce. Trailing 1-2, Chelsea needed to make their own goal count and they did just that after only three minutes as Michael Ballack headed in Joe Cole’s free kick. The home side then had a scare when Carlo Cudinici picked up an innocuous injury, the Italian replaced with third choice keeper Henrique Hilaro, who certainly contributed to his side’s progression; first he saved from Ugar’s deflected effort and then foiled Colin Kazim Richard’s long range effort. Frank Lampard ensured Chelsea’s progression though when he tapped in Michael Essein’s cross to polish off an impressive come back and professional performance.

Manchester United finished the job off they started in Rome by beating the Italians 1-0 at Old Trafford, progressing into the semi-finals to take on Barcelona. Carlos Tevez superb diving header was enough to separate the two sides, although Roma wasted a golden opportunity when Daniele de Rossi blazed a first half spot kick over the bar.

In the Premiership Portsmouth saw off West Ham at the Boleyn Ground thanks to Niko Kranjacr’s effort on the hour. The result takes the FA Cup finalists to within four points of fifth placed Everton.