Match ends, Chelsea 1, Liverpool 0.
- Chelsea unbeaten in six games against Liverpool
- Blues have won League Cup four times
- Liverpool not reached domestic final since 2012
- Chelsea to face Spurs or Sheff Utd in 1 March final
Branislav Ivanovic's extra-time winner sent Chelsea into the Capital One Cup final at Wembley after a thrilling semi-final second leg against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.
Ivanovic headed home three minutes into extra time to settle an enthralling encounter in which Liverpool made a full contribution but paid the price for missed opportunities.
Chelsea were favourites after a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the first leg - but Liverpool were true to the word of manager Brendan Rodgers and played without fear, seeking their first trophy since winning this competition in 2012.
And Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho, who missed Ivanovic's decisive goal as he was in a heated debate with fourth official Phil Dowd, showed how much another trip to Wembley meant to him by celebrating wildly with his staff at the final whistle.
It was a result that helped banish Chelsea's embarrassment of losing 4-2 at home to League One Bradford City in the FA Cup fourth round in their previous outing.
Liverpool will leave Stamford Bridge with regrets, especially after a horrendous headed miss by Jordan Henderson in front of an open goal that could have taken the game to penalties.
There may also be a price to pay for Chelsea as striker Diego Costa may face retrospective punishment for two stamps on Emre Can and Martin Skrtel that were not seen by referee Michael Oliver.
Costa, as usual, was involved in all of the action and should have been awarded a penalty when he was brought down by Skrtel in the first half, while the Spain international's head-to-head clash with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard earned both players yellow cards.
Former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin on BBC Radio 5 live at Stamford Bridge |
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"It was captivating. First and foremost, I thought Liverpool were fantastic. Jordan Henderson was brilliant. The way they've got themselves back after a sticky start to the season shows Brendan Rodgers has got a huge amount out of this team." |
Mourinho will set that aside for now as he remains on course for his first piece of silverware since returning to Chelsea at the start of last season.
As expected, Liverpool did not risk striker Daniel Sturridge even though he is approaching full fitness after a series of injuries that have sidelined him since August, but Rodgers adopted a bold approach that should have brought dividends in the first half.
Keeper Thibaut Courtois was Chelsea's hero at Anfield and he twice came to the rescue here as Liverpool twice opened up Chelsea for the two best opportunities of the half, first when Gerrard picked out Alberto Moreno and then when Philippe Coutinho broke through after wrong-footing Kurt Zouma.
Chelsea, however, had a major grievance of their own as they seemed to be refused a clear penalty when Costa was brought down by Skrtel as he attempted to guide the ball into touch.
Mourinho was forced into a change early in the second half when Cesc Fabregas came off second best in a shuddering tackle with his own captain John Terry and was replaced by Ramires.
It then needed the outstretched leg of Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet to turn away Costa's deflected shot before he dived at the feet of the striker as he tried to go around him.
Liverpool made their first change with 20 minutes left, sending on Mario Balotelli for Lazar Markovic, who had been quiet and ineffective.
It was three minutes into extra time when the deadlock was finally broken and Liverpool were undone by moments of sloppiness that led to their downfall. Lucas conceded a cheap free-kick with a foul on Eden Hazard and when Willian delivered the set piece, Ivanovic arrived unmarked to head in.
Liverpool should have responded immediately, only for Henderson to somehow head wide when Raheem Sterling's cross found him only six yards out.
It was to be their final opportunity.
Line-ups
Chelsea
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 13Courtois
- 2IvanovicBooked at 89mins
- 5Zouma
- 26TerryBooked at 74mins
- 3Filipe LuísSubstituted forAzpilicuetaat 78'minutes
- 4FàbregasSubstituted forSantos do Nascimentoat 50'minutes
- 21Matic
- 22WillianSubstituted forDrogbaat 119'minutes
- 8OscarBooked at 108mins
- 10E Hazard
- 19Diego CostaBooked at 102mins
Substitutes
- 1Cech
- 6Aké
- 7Santos do Nascimento
- 11Drogba
- 18Remy
- 24Cahill
- 28Azpilicueta
Liverpool
Formation 3-4-2-1
- 22Mignolet
- 23CanBooked at 114mins
- 37SkrtelBooked at 116mins
- 17SakhoSubstituted forJohnsonat 57'minutes
- 50MarkovicSubstituted forBalotelliat 70'minutes
- 14HendersonBooked at 42mins
- 21LeivaBooked at 53mins
- 18MorenoSubstituted forLambertat 105'minutes
- 8GerrardBooked at 102mins
- 10Coutinho
- 31Sterling
Substitutes
- 2Johnson
- 6Lovren
- 9Lambert
- 20Lallana
- 24Allen
- 45Balotelli
- 52Ward
- Referee:
- Michael Oliver
- Attendance:
- 40,659
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home54%
- Away46%
- Shots
- Home19
- Away16
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away4
- Corners
- Home6
- Away6
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away20
Live Text
Post update
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Second Half Extra Time ends, Chelsea 1, Liverpool 0.
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Attempt missed. Rickie Lambert (Liverpool) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Lucas Leiva.
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Attempt saved. Ramires (Chelsea) right footed shot from the left side of the box is saved in the bottom right corner.
Substitution
Substitution, Chelsea. Didier Drogba replaces Willian.
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Eden Hazard (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Glen Johnson (Liverpool).
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Attempt blocked. Oscar (Chelsea) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Eden Hazard.
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Diego Costa (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Steven Gerrard (Liverpool).
Booking
Martin Skrtel (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Diego Costa (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Martin Skrtel (Liverpool).
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Offside, Chelsea. Eden Hazard tries a through ball, but Diego Costa is caught offside.
Booking
Emre Can (Liverpool) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
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Eden Hazard (Chelsea) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Emre Can (Liverpool).
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Attempt missed. Ramires (Chelsea) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Eden Hazard.
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Attempt missed. Mario Balotelli (Liverpool) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is too high.
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Thibaut Courtois (Chelsea) wins a free kick in the defensive half.