FRANK LAMPARD ended his week of heartache by firing Chelsea to the Champions League final. Lampard, mourning the death of his mum Pat last Friday, struck an extra time penalty to set up a 3-2 win for the Blues, and make it 4-3 on aggregate.
In a pulsating semi-final second leg, it was under-fire Didier Drogba who opened the scoring with a 33rd minute strike. The move started when Salomon Kalou got on the end of a slide rule pass by Lampard and forced a great save from Pepe Reina between the sticks. But Drogba -dubbed a 'diver' by Benitez in the build up this clash - was on hand to smash home the rebound at the near post. The goal was Drogba's 14th goal of the season in a Chelsea shirt, giving the home side the lead which they held until the hour mark. Liverpool came out after half-time with all guns blazing, and after a spell of pressure, it was Fernando Torres who got things level.
Midfield schemer Yossi Benayoun beat Drogba and Kalou, before releasing Torres in the box. The Spaniard controlled the ball before who firing a low shot past Petr Cech. It was Chelsea who enjoyed the better of extra time, and even had a goal ruled out for offside. Michael Essien thought he'd got the vital goal after firing through a crowded box to send Stamford Bridge into raptures.
But the linesman's flag was up, with four Blue shirts in front of goalkeeper Reina. Just minutes later however, Lampard got the telling goal. Michael Ballack was chopped down by Sami Hyypia just inside the box, and the England midfielder smashed home the spot kick to start emotional celebrations. Liverpool then incredibly took off star striker Torres, before Drogba got his second of the game just before the extra time interval.
The big Ivorian was on hand to smash home sub Nicolas Anelka's telling low ball from the right and put the result beyond doubt.
Ryan Babel fired a late long range goal for Liverpool to give the home side a nervy last five minutes, but Chelsea held on to seal their ticket to Moscow. The night belonged to Lampard, who after missing the weekend's title fight with Manchester United, was able to smile again.