BLUES IN SEVENTH HEAVEN

WHATEVER happens at Stamford Bridge this afternoon, it's unlikely to match the astonishing drama of the Champions League quarter-final Chelsea and Liverpool played out there in April, 2009.

- MATT BOZEAT

The second leg did look like a formality.

Branislav Ivanovic had netted twice at Anfield as Chelsea wiped out Fernando Torres' early goal to win 3-1, leaving Guus Hiddink's team on the brink of a fifth Champions League semi-final in six seasons.

The expectation was that even without John Terry Chelsea would see the job through - and Liverpool were without the injured Steven Gerrard.

Despite all of that, the tie was level inside half an hour.

Fabio Aurelio knew what everyone was expecting when he lined up to take a free-kick in the 19th minute and did the opposite.