FCBARCELONA.CAT

09.04.2008 11:13

Liverpool-Chelsea book semi final places

www.fcbarcelona.cat

Liverpool will play Chelsea in the Champions League semi finals after the two Premier League sides won their respective ties against Arsenal and Fernbahçe on Tuesday evening.

The Reds came from behind on aggregate and then on away goals before securing victory in the second leg of the quarter final to win 4-2, after the first leg game had ended in a 1-1 draw.

Abou Diaby put the Gunners' ahead early on before Sami Hyypia levelled on the half-hour mark to set up a tantalising second half that turned out to be a classic. Fernando Torres edged Liverpool in the 69th minute only for Emmanuel Adebayor to score and give the Gunners what looked to be a win on away goals with only six minutes of the game remaining. But straight from kick off, the home team raced towards the Gunners' area and after Ryan Babel went down under a challenge from Kolo Toure the referee awarded a penalty. Steven Gerrard duly dispatched the spot-kick past Manuel Almunia and as Arsenal pressed forward in the closing stages, Babel broke clear and added a fourth for th Merseyside outfit.

Chelsea- Fenerbahçe

At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea had to overcome a first leg defeat in Turkey against Fenerbahçe in order to book their place in the semi finals. Michael Ballack scored the all important opener after just four minutes when he glanced home a head to draw the Blues level on aggregate after the west London side had lost the first leg 2-1. It was not until the second half that Frank Lampard netted from close range to ensure that Chelsea were through to the last four. Chelsea and Liverpool will play each other fort he fourth consecutive season in the Champions League and the first game will be at Anfield this time with the decider at Stamford Bridge.