Turkish Turnaround, and Lucky Liverpool - HT in the QF

By: Rob | April 2nd, 2008

Kazim Richards scores against Chelsea Its now halftime in the QF of this season’s Champions League, with the other two first legs played this evening. Both ties are well and truely still alive - even after the only shock result of the round.

Arsenal Vs Liverpool

Arsenal will feel desperatly unlucky as Liverpool head into the second leg at Anfield with a real advantage after a 1-1 draw.

The Gunners started the game the more brightly of the two sides - Van Persie in particular started very well. Wave after wave of attacks led to a couple of good chances for Van Persie, but he failed to put either in the net. The usually dependable Pepe Reina looked dodgy, coming well out of his goal on one occasion, and finding himself very lucky to get away with it.

Adebyour proved the value of his Champions League haircut, getting his second goal of the tournament so far, unmarked from a header which highlighted the flaws with Liverpools Zonal Marking from set pieces. First Blood to the Gunners, who looked very good value for thier lead.

Liverpool immediately hit back however, a mazy run from Steven Gerrard found him in the penalty box where he delivered a dangerous ball between Clichy and Kuyt, the latter managed to get something on the end of it to poke it in. 1-1, and cruically, Liverpool had the away goal.

Arsenal looked rattled, and Liverpool looked the more likely to extend thier lead before the break, but Torres couldn’t find his way through the Arsenal back line - Gallas in particular had a great game.

At half time, Van Persie came off despite starting well (an injury is suspected) for Wallcott, who made an immediate impact and he waltzed through the Liverpool midfield to hit a screamer just wide. This galvanised Arsenal who suddenly looked full of belief.

Liverpool meanwhile, were happy to sit back and keep what they had (surprise surprise) Cesc Fabragas started showing some of his begining of the season form as he orchestrated Arsenal’s attacks. He himself put a shot just wide, and a beautiful 40 yard pass to Adebyour only just missed its target.

Arsenal had a big shout for a penalty Hleb (who wrongly got booked after he should have been awarded a pen against Milan) sprinted onto a Flamini pass in the box and Kuyt appeared to pull his arm back. The ref had a perfect view but refused to give the descion.

Arsenal’s trauma didn’t end there, as Adebayor put in a cross for Bendtner (who came on for the awful Eboue) the cross was lashed away only as far as Fabregas, who’s strike was going in the bottom corner, kept out only by the Arsenal youngster who was offside to boot.

Arsenal began to look fatigued late on, and Liverpool, though not creating many clearcut chances will point to a defensive display, that while got lucky at times, has given them a good shout in the second leg.

Fenerbahce Vs Chelsea

Talk before the game was of this being a walk in the park for Chelsea, and in the first half that talk looked entirely justified. Dominating the first period, they could have had three or four goals, Essien rattled the crossbar with one effort, while Drogba went close a couple of times.

Chelsea’s only goal however was somewhat a fluke, as an early cross deflected off a backtracking Deivid into the top corner.

Chelsea manager Avram Grant has been criticized for his substitutions, and they were the difference between the two sides today. Fenerbahce manager, and Brazilian legend Zico, bought on Kazim Richards, and he completely changed the game. His great run and nice strike levelled the score, and he clearly frightened Chelsea.

Grant decided he wanted to settle for a 1-1 despite Chelsea’s early dominance, and bought off Frank Lampard and put on Jon Obi-Mikel. Lampard was seething, and though Grant claimed after the match that Lampard was ’sick’ and couldn’t play the 90, he didn’t look like a fella who wanted to come off.

Despite the defensive substitutions, Chelsea still had a couple of great chances, in a 4-on-3 break Drogba foolishly elected to go alone, and later Ballack missed a good opportunity to score.

Deivid though more than made up for his early own goal with the absolute goal of the round so far. A screamer from 35 yards nestled right in the top corner, giving Fener a 2-1 lead, which will be well celebrated in Istanbul, despite the London sides away goal.