Over the two legs...

[Dhav]

...who do you think deserved to go through?

ie, who was the better side over the two games? In spite of Mourinho's bollocks, we were clearly the superior side tonight, yet they were a cut above in the first leg. Listening to his comments tonight, yes it smacked of sour grapes, but I think he may have had a point when he said they were better over both legs.

They were extremely wasteful last week and really should have scored when they were on top, but I guess you could say the same about us tonight.

I think the truth of it is that once again his negativity cost them dear - if they had been more adventurous tonight and gone for the away goal as he promised, they would have had a fighting chance. But as it was, they offered nothing up front despite all their talent on the pitch and on the bench.

In any case, I guess it's all academic now because we're going to Athens and now they're the Cup club with only one trophy to play for

[kurtangle01]

I honestly think it was dead even. Chelsea created the better chances last week and bar one or two hairy moments in our back four we created the best chances tonight. The only way to split the two teams was on penalties and thankfully we held our nerve when it mattered most.

[Red_Polo]

...who do you think deserved to go through?

ie, who was the better side over the two games? In spite of Mourinho's bollocks, we were clearly the superior side tonight, yet they were a cut above in the first leg. Listening to his comments tonight, yes it smacked of sour grapes, but I think he may have had a point when he said they were better over both legs.

They were extremely wasteful last week and really should have scored when they were on top, but I guess you could say the same about us tonight.

I think the truth of it is that once again his negativity cost them dear - if they had been more adventurous tonight and gone for the away goal as he promised, they would have had a fighting chance. But as it was, they offered nothing up front despite all their talent on the pitch and on the bench.

In any case, I guess it's all academic now because we're going to Athens and now they're the Cup club with only one trophy to play for

That's their own fault though, isn't it? We were ****e and they didn't take advantage. They only have themselves to blame for that, there was no outrageous misfortune at play. Unlike with our disallowed goal.

There wasn't a lot in it, but yes I think we deserved to go through.

[Dhav]

I honestly think it was dead even. Chelsea created the better chances last week and bar one or two hairy moments in our back four we created the best chances tonight. The only way to split the two teams was on penalties and thankfully we held our nerve when it mattered most.

I tend to agree with you. I think it was very even, you couldn't split the two sides.

One thing about tonight, putting all the euphoria to one side for the moment, I know it was part of the tactics but I was slightly disappointed to see us hoisting up so many long balls.

[bigfooty]

Chelsea didn't deserve to go through, they should have killed the tie last week when we were well below our best. That they failed to do so, combined with us being largely the better team over 90 minutes - if not the extra time - think means we just about shaded it on merit.

[kurtangle01]

That's their own fault though, isn't it? We were ****e and they didn't take advantage. They only have themselves to blame for that, there was no outrageous misfortune at play. Unlike with our disallowed goal.

I honestly thought we'd had it when it went to penalties though. I was certain that they were going to get the better of us there. Cech is a huge bloke and I couldn't stop thinking about how hard it would be for our lads to find a way past him. He's not a specialist like Pepe though it would seem.

[Dhav]

That's their own fault though, isn't it? We were ****e and they didn't take advantage. They only have themselves to blame for that, there was no outrageous misfortune at play. Unlike with our disallowed goal.

There wasn't a lot in it, but yes I think we deserved to go through.

Fair points. As I alluded to above, once again they only have themselves to blame and Mourinho is his own worst enemy with how he chose to play.

PS dont you have an exam tomorrow?

[Dhav]

I honestly thought we'd had it when it went to penalties though. I was certain that they were going to get the better of us there. Cech is a huge bloke and I couldn't stop thinking about how hard it would be for our lads to find a way past him. He's not a specialist like Pepe though it would seem.

I thought exactly the same about Cech - such a huge, imposing, intimidating figure that our players must have looked at him and thought how the fact do we get it past him? yet all 4 of ours went comfortably past him.

Respect to our lads, they always pull it out the bag when it comes to penalties.

[loco_law]

I felt they owned us in one half of the first leg, and the other half was even.

In the 2nd leg, we won both halves, absolutely dominating the possession time.

To me, we deserved to win it. Period.

HOLY CRAP I GET TO SEE MY REDS IN ATHENS!!!!!!!!!!

Oh, and it's easy to see that we've been working on our penalties in training.

Well in lads. Well in.

[Guest]

We are on a par with anyone in the Premier league (and that includes Man United) & in Europe. We were the better team tonight as Chelsea benefited from playing more competitive matchs ... 4 of our players had cramps, Stevie Finnan & Zenden for lacking matches at the highest level.

It's just the consistency that isn't there (results wise) in the league. I do feel that next season will be ours (championship wise). Rafa is building a dynasty here, and we'll be the next dominant team in the years to come.