CHELSEA'S CONVICTION had been on the point of wavering but, after the late gift handed to them by Liverpool at Anfield, self-belief has instead been reinforced.
The seismic shift in momentum provoked by John Arne Riise's inexplicable own-goal deep into stoppage-time on Tuesday has served to steel Avram Grant's side on two fronts. Where the London club might have feared their European challenge was slipping away, now they still hope for a double.
Grant's squad returned to their base at Cobham yesterday with the advantage clearly theirs in the all-English Champions League tie but with thoughts of Manchester United's Premier League visit on Saturday already focusing minds. Victory against the champions would haul them level at the top of the table and, although Alex Ferguson's side have the superior goal difference and would still have to drop points from their remaining two fixtures to surrender the trophy, Chelsea would have sown seeds of doubt to undermine their rivals.
A heady five days await. "It is incredible to think what can happen over the next two games," said Petr Cech in the aftermath at Anfield, the goalkeeper's magnificent performance having kept Liverpool at bay for so long before Riise's pivotal error rewarded the Czech's brilliance. "These two games are waiting for us and that's why it is such an exciting time. The Premier League is reaching the end and it's exciting to think where we can be after Saturday, after Manchester United.
"They have scored the most goals in the league this season and have a strong attacking threat. Of course, there is the chance we could meet them in the Champions League final as well in Moscow, and that would be great because Chelsea against United is always entertaining. That would be a huge, passionate occasion. Can we beat them twice? We will see, but I'm not dreaming just yet."
That wariness reflected the realisation that Chelsea will need to perform more coherently both in Saturday's league game at Stamford Bridge and in the return leg against Liverpool on Wednesday if they are to preserve their aims of securing silverware this season, and with it potentially keep their manager, Grant, in a job. They were becalmed for long periods at Anfield, struggling to contain the hosts' thrusts, and had virtually given up on the game with a narrow deficit surrendered when Salomon Kalou's cross prompted panic and induced Riise's own-goal.
"We knew in the last few minutes that it was not the best result we wanted, but at 1-0 you just make sure that you do not concede a second goal," said Cech, whose point-blank save from Fernando Torres in the 94th minute was swiftly followed by Chelsea's own plunder at the other end. "Every chance we had, every possibility to counterattack and push forward, we did so. For that effort, in the end, we were rewarded with a little bit of luck. But I think we were strong enough.
"I especially liked the fact that when we found ourselves 1-0 down we kept our chins up and just kept going. We played with good character and didn't lose our heads. We didn't panic at all, even when the time was going closer and closer to the end. That was a good sign. Now we need to make sure that the away goal we've scored ends up being crucial. We must use home advantage. We know we can play a little bit better, but overall we were happy with what we did. The equaliser has changed everything."
Chelsea and Liverpool had previously collided six times in Champions League fixtures and this was the first occasion a visiting side had scored a goal. After elimination inflicted by Luis Garcia's "ghost goal" in 2005 and on penalties last term, the London side have something upon which to cling going into next week's return, aware that Rafael Benitez has yet to see his side even score at Stamford Bridge. This will be his ninth visit to west London.
"Away goals can be crucial," added Cech. "We have been unlucky at Anfield twice before but this time the luck went with us. I was positive we would get something from the game. Now another top performance will be needed against Manchester United in the Premier League. If we win the game it will keep the pressure on in the title race and we can then look forward again to the Champions League tie next week. Who knows what the situation could be after these two games?"
Meanwhile, Frank Lampard has returned to the bedside of his seriously ill mother after admitting he has been through the hardest time of his life.
An improvement in his mother Pat's condition gave Lampard the incentive to leave her hospital and play in Chelsea's Champions League semi-final against Liverpool at Anfield.
Lampard and other members of his family have been keeping a bedside vigil ever since Pat was admitted with pneumonia just over a week ago.
The England international midfielder returned to his mother's bedside yesterday hoping that her condition continues to improve enough for him to play against Manchester United on Saturday. Guardian Service
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