A brave performance from Liverpool proved not to enough to prevent a
defeat in the Carling Cup Final. The final score, 3-2, perhaps made the
game sound like it was full of chances, but it was far from it. Jose
Mourhino was sent off, there were a good few bookings, but in the end
Chelsea got the silverware their Russian owner wanted so badly. This
leaves Chelsea on course for a treble and Liverpool to concentrate on
their two Champions League campaigns – one to win the trophy this
season, and one to be in next year’s competition.
Certainly Chelsea were lucky today, but Steven Gerrard seemed to lose
his ability to turn a game after receiving a heavy knock in the second
half.
Riise’s goal had been the fastest in League Cup history – 43 seconds,
but Steven Gerrard scored an own goal to bring Chelsea back into it.
Gerrard was crying at the end.
Two goal-mouth scrambles saw Chelsea get the score to 3-1 in extra
time. A late goal from Nunez wasn’t enough for a tired Liverpool.