The Blues were unfortunate not to have a penalty awarded to them in the 22nd minute. Diego Costa went down in the Liverpool area after a tackle from Martin Skrtel, but the referee decided it was a dive and gave a free kick against the forward when it appeared to be a legitimate penalty.

 

Thibault Courtois was in fine form on the night and made some top saves for the hosts. In the 26th minute Steven Gerrard sent a pass towards the far post where Moreno thrashed a shot at goal, but Courtois made himself big and made the crucial block.

 

Only four minutes later the Reds were putting the Belgian keeper under more pressure. Coutinho threaded his way through the middle of the Chelsea team and made his way into the box where he rifled a shot towards the bottom corner of Courtois' goal, but the gloveman was up to the task yet again.

 

Eden Hazard came close to scoring what would have been a phenomenal goal just before the hour mark. The 24-year-old took on four defenders before shifting the ball to his left and smashing a shot that looked destined for the top right corner, but it went inches wide.

 

Liverpool survived another big scare in the 65th minute when Mignolet made a potentially game-winning save as he blocked Costa's shot with an outstretched leg after the striker only had the keeper to beat.

 

The teams remained locked at 0-0 when the full-time whistle blew, forcing the clash into extra time.

 

However, the hosts only needed four minutes of extra time to find the winning goal. Willian knocked a free kick into the area and Branislav Ivanovic was on hand to powerfully head home and claim a spot in the final for Jose Mourinho's charges.

 

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