FA Cup - Semi Final

Liverpool hope to go on an duplicate their youth team (who won the FA Cup this week) and beat Chavski to go onto the final in this year's FA Cup.

Liverpool meet Chav$ki for the tenth time in 2 seasons today in the first of the FA Cup Semi-Finals. LFC have only one won of those games; the Champions League Semi-Final last year, that was won by a controversial Luis Garcia goal (a game Moaninho still claims they didn't lose.)

LFC have met the champions elect five times in know out competitions in that competition that have resulted in two wins for the Chav$ki's (including a league cup final win), two draws and a win for the mighty reds (at the aforementioned Champions League Semi-Final). The point difference at the time of the latter between the two in the Premier League was in the vicinity of 30 points; something Moaninho used as motivation for his team, which in turn, lead to overconfidence and the famous loss. One wonders if he'll use the same motivation this time around eventhough the difference (15) is far reduced (although still sizeable) this term.

Personally, I think the reds are due a victory against the Chav's and hopefully a clear one at that son Moaninho can't claim he has not lost! The line up is the strongest and best Rafa can provide since Fowler is cup-tied: a strong back-four with Riise at left-back, Gerrard in the center with Sissoko and Alonso, allowing Kewell and Garcia free attacking runs down the sides with the tall target of Crouch waiting for them in the box.

Chav$ki's starting line-up is curious though and it's a wonder if Moaninho is more worried about the Man Scum game next week (making sure they win the Prem) or just a case of gamesmanship, as he has started with Cudicini in goal ahead of Petr Cech, and has Paulo Ferreira back in the midfield. Also Joe Cole, Duff and Robben on the bench, the three wide players that could arguably dismantle Liverpool the best down the wings are all on the bench!

20 mins: GOAL 1-0: Riise takes a clever free-kick which sneaks right through the Chelsea wall and past a stranded Cudicini. If Moaninho's plan is gamesmanship it isn't working so far.

45 mins: The second half kicks off, with Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho opting to bring on winger Arjen Robben for defender Asier del Horno.

50 min: Gerrard finds Garcia in front of goal but the Spaniard fails to shoot on target and wastes a golden opportunity to double Liverpool's lead.

52 min: GOAL 2-0: From a throw-in the ball falls for Garcia who bursts through the middle and fires a fantastic shot from outside the penalty area past Cudicini who doesn't move as the ball sails into the top left hand corner of the net.

63 min: Liverpool are looking more and more comfortable as the match goes on, repelling everything Chelsea throw at them with ease.

69 min: Djibrill Cisse comes on in place of Peter Crouch - LFC will have less of an aerial threat, but they will now have the pace of the forward who needs to show that he can't be sold in the summer!

70 min: 2-1: Drogba scores. It's bad defensive header from Riise falls for Drogba who heads the ball over the advancing Reina and into the back of the net.

77 mins: Harry Kewell's excellent display for Liverpool comes to a premature end when he limps off to be replaced by Djimi Traore.

78 min: Liverpool can't seem to get out of their own half at the moment as Chelsea relentlessly pile on the pressure.

80 min: Reina takes his time with a goal-kick and is yellow carded, while Fernando Morientes replaces Luis Garcia in the Liverpool attack (how I bet Rafa wishes that could be Fowler). LFC have just 10 minutes to hold on or increase their lead and destroy Chav$ki's hope of a doing the Double!

85 min: Five minutes to go as Hyypia cuts out a cross from Drogba and concedes a corner.

88 min: Didier Drogba is shown the yellow card for dissent. Cisse has a chance to break but his first touch is too heavy and the ball is cut out by Makelele.

90 min: Liverpool look to keep posession as they wind down the clock and try to protect their lead. How many more minutes with the Ref deem to be played - 0 mins extra if you ask me! Come'on blow the whistle already!

90+3 min: Alonso tries to get Cisse through on goal but he is flagged offside (surprisingly!?).

90+5 min: And that's it! Victory for the Mighty Reds! I'm sure Moaninho will say that the best team lost, but the Double dream is dead and Liverpool are on their way to the final to play either Middlesbrough or (hopefully) West Ham, who will meet tomorrow in the other Semi-Final!