Half-time: Chelsea 0 Liverpool 0 (Agg: 1-1)

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Chelsea were twice denied a penalty during a frenetic start to the Capital One Cup semi-final second leg at Stamford Bridge.

With the tie finely poised after a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the first leg, they looked menacing from the first whistle and might have been awarded a penalty in the opening five minutes.

Diego Costa got the better of Mamadou Sakho on the right-hand side and picked out Willian, whose shot was blocked by Lucas with the ball hitting the Liverpool man’s hand as he threw himself in the way.

At the other end, Raheem Sterling scampered towards goal after Kurt Zouma had misjudged a long ball, but the centre-back recovered to tackle him after Sterling had gone past Chelsea skipper John Terry.

The hosts were soon back on the attack and Costa appeared to be fouled in the box by Martin Skrtel, but again referee Michael Oliver ignored appeals for a spot-kick.

With Terry back in the side after being rested for Saturday’s FA Cup debacle against Bradford, Blues boss Jose Mourinho made a bold decision by retaining youngster Zouma and instead dropping Gary Cahill to the bench.

And Chelsea have been caused some problems at the back, twice relying on keeper Thibaut Courtois to prevent Liverpool going ahead.

The Belgian saved superbly from Alberto Moreno following a clever pass from Steven Gerrard.

Soon afterwards Courtois was called into action again, this time saving with his legs to keep out an effort from Philippe Coutinho, who showed great skill to get himself into a shooting position but ought to have then scored.

Eden Hazard’s away goal means a 0-0 draw would take Chelsea to Wembley to face Tottenham or Sheffield United in the final – but only if that were to remain the scoreline after extra time.

Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Zouma, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian, Oscar, Hazard; Costa.
Subs: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ake, Ramires, Remy, Drogba.

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