Frank Lampard is spot on as Chelsea triumph
By Henry Winter
Sport.Telegraph, 1st May 2008
Frank Lampard last night struck the most poignant and significant goal
of his fine career, driving home an extra-time penalty to help take the
Blues to Red Square. As he wheeled away in celebration, Lampard sought
out his father in the stands, sharing an emotional moment a week after
the midfielder's beloved mother Pat passed away.
If there was one man to assist Chelsea on their voyage to a Champions
League climax in Moscow it had to be Lampard, showing real character
on his return to the fold. Removed shortly before the final whistle,
Lampard walked from the field to tumultuous acclaim. Roman Abramovich
was on business in Russia, and Lampard ensured Chelsea, too, would
soon have business in Russia.
On another evening, the Stamford Bridge crowd would have revelled in
Didier Drogba's double, marvelling at the striker's barnstorming
performance. On another night, the Shed would have thrilled to the
defensive defiance of John Terry, a true leader on this most tense
of occasions.
Chelsea minds could have fast-forwarded to May 21 and an epic conflict
with Manchester United, images abounding of Ashley Cole resuming his
long-running duel with Cristiano Ronaldo, of Terry colliding with
Wayne Rooney.
The future could wait. Everyone at the Bridge had thoughts only for
one man, one subject. This was Lampard's night, his chance to do
something special. Even before Sami Hyypia's foul on Michael Ballack
presented him with his free strike from 12 yards, Lampard impressed,
looking lean and hungry, always guiding passes around the pitch.
After a sustained deluge, the going was treacherous but this thoroughbred
No 8 kept his footing, floating over the sodden soil, clearly on a mission.
Memories of his mother must have been in Lampard's mind; if he had been
distracted, or simply not felt like playing, no one could have blamed him.
Bravery is a word that belongs on the battlefield, not the field of
sport, but a certain moral courage did define Lampard's performance
here, most pertinently as a frenetic game moved towards the 100-minute
mark with the score locked at 1-1.
Lampard could have left the penalty to Ballack, so expert from the spot
against United at the weekend. He could have thrown the ball to Drogba,
so dynamic last night. But Lampard walked across and placed the ball
down, ignoring Javier Mascherano's gamesmanship.
Lampard has missed penalties before, notably for England in the 2006
World Cup. Butterflies could have invaded his stomach as he faced
probably the best shot-stopper in the world, Pepe Reina. Lampard blanked
all thoughts from his mind, except addressing the ball, which he did
perfectly, the penalty flying past Reina.
Emotion raced through Lampard's body, chasing him around the pitch.
Whatever the Bridge's continuing doubts over the managerial credentials
of Avram Grant, the quality and quantity of the players at his disposal
simply cannot be disputed.
Lampard was terrific, Drogba outstanding and Terry exuded international
class at centre-half. Cole reminded everyone what a good left-back he
can be. Michael Essien shines whether at right-back or in midfield.
Nicolas Anelka represents a mighty weapon to unleash from the bench.
The richness of Chelsea's human resources contrasts with Liverpool's,
a reality that Rafa Benitez must address when he heads to the summer
sales. Probably only Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres, possibly
Mascherano, would force their way into Chelsea's line-up.
And when Drogba is as unplayable as this, even Torres might struggle.
Chelsea's No 11 took his first goal expertly in the 33rd minute,
seizing on Reina's punched clearance from Salomon Kalou and driving
it home.
Drogba certainly celebrated in style, checking his bearings before
he made sure he slid towards Benitez, who had questioned the
forward's tendency to throw himself to the ground. Chelsea fans
loved it, joining in the taunting of the Liverpool manager by
mocking him with diving motions.
Chelsea were hungrier, sharper, more organised and tougher. Liverpool
were incensed when Drogba caught Gerrard late, although the Chelsea
powerhouse had the good grace to seek the England international out
at half-time to apologise. In truth, it hardly needed the striker to
track back to stifle Liverpool's captain. Gerrard struggled to escape
from Claude Makelele, that master of the midfield ambush.
Seeking to raise Liverpool's tempo, seeking to inject some spark into
the dying embers of their season, Gerrard tried to drive the team on.
He was so keen to get on with the game that when Grant delayed a
throw-in, the Chelsea coach was pushed unceremoniously over by Gerrard.
Even the Chelsea fans around the home dugout laughed at the comical
sight of Grant tumbling over. Benitez probably thought he dived.
Liverpool emerged from the break in more determined mood, with Gerrard
immediately nodding the ball across to Dirk Kuyt, whose flicked effort
was brilliantly pushed away by Petr Cech. Belief began to flow through
Liverpool, and only a marvellous sliding tackle by Drogba, of all
people, dispossessed Torres in front of Chelsea's goal.
Torres never gave up, and his persistence was rewarded after 64 minutes,
bringing reward for Liverpool's heightened second-half tempo. As the
visiting fans waved their numerous banners, including "fortune favours
the brave", Liverpool went for broke.
Benitez tweaked his team, ordering Yossi Benayoun and Kuyt to switch
flanks, the tactical change working. Benayoun, light-weight for an
hour, suddenly burst into life, ghosting in from the right, passing
Cole and then holding off Drogba before slipping the ball into the
box to Torres. The Spaniard nervelessly placed the ball past Cech
from 15 yards.
Liverpool's first goal at the Bridge under Benitez woke Chelsea up.
As extra time dawned, Chelsea felt aggrieved when Essien was denied
a goal, but the referee, Roberto Rosetti, rightly signalled Drogba
offside.
Chelsea sensed vulnerability. Lampard converted his penalty. And
when Anelka set up Drogba, Chelsea's party really began in earnest,
the jubilant mood only briefly interrupted by Ryan Babel's strike.
When the final whistle went, all the chants and thoughts were for
Lampard.
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