LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) – Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola and Chelsea counterpart Roberto Di Matteo agreed that their Champions League semi-final was evenly poised after holders Barca lost 1-0 in the first leg at Stamford bridge on Wednesday.

Guardiola said he expected, and got, a tough game against Chelsea and anticipated another one next week at the Nou Camp after the European champions were beaten on a rainy night in west London.

“A team does not reach the semi-finals of the competition six times in nine years without being a strong team,” Guardiola told reporters after seeing his side totally dominate Chelsea, but still end up losing to Didier Drogba’s goal late in the first half.

Guardiola, whose side created 24 scoring chances of their own without finding the net, added: “I wasn’t expecting to create so many chances. Nevertheless, we did, but we could not score and that was the issue.

“We knew it was going to be a challenge and it was going to be difficult but we will have to see what happens in the second leg. It is never easy coming to Stamford Bridge.

“But at home next week we will try and create as many chances but it is never easy against a team that defends so deep but we will try it.”

Although his players were disappointed to have lost for only the third time in 63 matches this season, Guardiola said matters could be very different in the return leg.

LONDON (Reuters) – Didier Drogba scored late in the first half and Chelsea kept free-scoring Lionel Messi in check to secure a 1-0 win over holders Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Ivorian Drogba finished off a swift break with an incisive finish from a Ramires pass in stoppage time at a rain-soaked Stamford Bridge.

Barca, looking to knock Chelsea out at this stage for the second time in four seasons, dominated the opening half but were quieter after the break as the well-organised hosts kept their shape.

Chelsea had a huge escape in the final seconds when Pedro placed a shot beyond goalkeeper Petr Cech but against the post and Sergio Busquets lashed the rebound over the bar.

“It was a great tireless performance from everyone. We showed tonight we’re not in awe of them, we respect them but we’re not in awe of them,” Chelsea captain John Terry told ITV.

On Drogba, Terry added: “He’s incredible. These big nights… that’s what he’s all about. He put fear into the Spurs back four on Sunday and he did that again tonight.”

Barcelona, making their fifth straight appearance in the semi-finals and bidding to become the first club since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to lift the European Cup in successive seasons, created the better openings but were wasteful in front of goal.

LONDON, April 18 (Reuters) – Didier Drogba scored late in the first half and Chelsea kept free-scoring Lionel Messi in check to secure a 1-0 win over holders Barcelona in their Champions League semi-final first leg on Wednesday.

Ivorian Drogba finished off a swift break with an incisive finish from a Ramires pass in stoppage time at a rain-soaked Stamford Bridge.

Barca, looking to knock Chelsea out at this stage for the second time in four seasons, dominated the opening half but were quieter after the break as the well-organised hosts kept their shape.

Chelsea had a huge escape in the final seconds when Pedro placed a shot beyond goalkeeper Petr Cech but against the post and Sergio Busquets lashed the rebound over the bar.

“It was a great tireless performance from everyone. We showed tonight we’re not in awe of them, we respect them but we’re not in awe of them,” Chelsea captain John Terry told ITV.

On Drogba, Terry added: “He’s incredible. These big nights… that’s what he’s all about. He put fear into the Spurs back four on Sunday and he did that again tonight.”

Barcelona, making their fifth straight appearance in the semi-finals and bidding to become the first club since AC Milan in 1989 and 1990 to lift the European Cup in successive seasons, created the better openings but were wasteful in front of goal.

LONDON (Reuters) – Chelsea must play two perfect games in their Champions League semi-final against holders Barcelona to have any chance of reaching the final, their caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s first leg at Stamford Bridge, Di Matteo, who has revived Chelsea’s fortunes after taking over from Andre Villas-Boas, said playing Barca represented the biggest challenge a manager could face.

Chelsea take on Pep Guardiola’s European champions after winning nine, drawing two and losing one of their last 12 matches since Di Matteo took charge and he said they were in a buoyant mood after beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

“The spirit in the group is very high, very good and we could not have had a better game than Sunday’s to prepare for this game,” he said.

“But now we need to play two perfect games to defeat Barcelona and the way we have performed in the last six weeks gives us the belief that we can produce those two perfect games.

“They do not like playing against us. We are two teams who have a lot of respect for each other, but we always give them a lot of problems. Playing Barca gives a manager his biggest tactical challenge.”

Chelsea, languishing sixth in the Premier League standings, have not lost to Barcelona the last five times the teams have played.

LONDON, April 17 (Reuters) – Chelsea must play two perfect games in their Champions League semi-final against holders Barcelona to have any chance of reaching the final, their caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a news conference ahead of Wednesday’s first leg at Stamford Bridge, Di Matteo, who has revived Chelsea’s fortunes after taking over from Andre Villas-Boas, said playing Barca represented the biggest challenge a manager could face.

Chelsea take on Pep Guardiola’s European champions after winning nine, drawing two and losing one of their last 12 matches since Di Matteo took charge and he said they were in a buoyant mood after beating Tottenham Hotspur 5-1 in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday.

“The spirit in the group is very high, very good and we could not have had a better game than Sunday’s to prepare for this game,” he said.

“But now we need to play two perfect games to defeat Barcelona and the way we have performed in the last six weeks gives us the belief that we can produce those two perfect games.

“They do not like playing against us. We are two teams who have a lot of respect for each other, but we always give them a lot of problems. Playing Barca gives a manager his biggest tactical challenge.”

Chelsea, languishing sixth in the Premier League standings, have not lost to Barcelona the last five times the teams have played.

LONDON, April 14 (Reuters) – Liverpool strikers Andy Carroll and Luis Suarez put all their troubles behind them to fire their team to a 2-1 win over local rivals Everton in a nerve-jangling FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

They will face the winners of Sunday’s clash between London rivals Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in the May 5 final.

Uruguayan Suarez, banned earlier this season after racially insulting Manchester United’s fullback Patrice Evra, scored Liverpool’s equaliser to put his side back in the game following a mistake by Everton’s Sylvain Distin after 62 minutes.

Carroll, who has been roundly criticised for his lack of goals since his British record 35 million pounds ($55.60 million) transfer from Newcastle United last year, headed the winner three minutes from time.

He had earlier missed easier chances, the first just after halftime when he headed wide two metres from goal, but he told ESPN that scoring the winner was “the best feeling ever”.

The 23-year-old Geordie added: “It’s a great feeling. I’ve had some criticism but I’ve kept on going. I’ve got the winner here and I believe in myself every day.”

Suarez’s equaliser and Carroll’s winner ripped the heart out of an Everton side who deservedly went ahead with a 24th minute strike from their Croatia forward Nikica Jelavic.

LONDON, April 14 (Reuters) – Liverpool striker Andy Carroll headed an 87th minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton in an error-strewn FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

The scrappy win after they conceded an early goal puts Liverpool into next month’s final where they will play either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea who meet on Sunday.

Liverpool recovered with a 62nd minute equaliser from Luis Suarez before Carroll’s late header after Everton deservedly led through a 24th minute strike from Nikica Jelavic.

The first two goals came from defensive mistakes as Croatia forward Jelavic profited from a mix-up between Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger who failed to clear a loose ball.

Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Suarez struck after Everton’s Sylvain Distin underhit a backpass into his path. That mistake by the Frenchman changed the course of the match.

Liverpool, who had played poorly until then, gradually took control of the game after Suarez’s goal and in the end just about deserved to reach their first FA Cup final since 2006.

The game looked to be heading into extra time when substitute Seamus Coleman needlessly fouled Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to concede a free-kick wide on the left.

LONDON, April 14 (Reuters) – Liverpool striker Andy Carroll headed an 87th minute winner to secure a 2-1 victory over Merseyside rivals Everton in an error-strewn FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

The scrappy win after they conceded an early goal puts Liverpool into next month’s final where they will play either Tottenham Hotspur or Chelsea who meet on Sunday.

Liverpool recovered with a 62nd minute equaliser from Luis Suarez before Carroll’s late header after Everton deservedly led through a 24th minute strike from Nikica Jelavic.

The first two goals came from defensive mistakes as Croatia forward Jelavic profited from a mix-up between Jamie Carragher and Daniel Agger who failed to clear a loose ball.

Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Suarez struck after Everton’s Sylvain Distin underhit a backpass into his path. That mistake by the Frenchman changed the course of the match.

Liverpool, who had played poorly until then, gradually took control of the game after Suarez’s goal and in the end just about deserved to reach their first FA Cup final since 2006.

The game looked to be heading into extra time when substitute Seamus Coleman needlessly fouled Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard to concede a free-kick wide on the left.

LONDON (Reuters) – Liverpool must overcome a goalkeeping crisis to beat Everton while Tottenham Hotspur need to rediscover their confidence to get past Chelsea in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final derbies at Wembley Stadium.

What are likely to be two nerve-jangling matches will grab centre stage from the Premier League with Liverpool meeting Everton on Saturday and Spurs facing Chelsea on Sunday with a place in the May 5 final awaiting the winners.

None of the clubs are strangers to FA Cup glory having won the trophy 26 times between them since 1901.

The Merseyside affair on Saturday has an added poignancy being played the day before the anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster when 96 Liverpool fans died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool were given dispensation by the FA not to play on the actual date of the tragedy – April 15 – when an annual memorial service is held at Anfield.

That meant Chelsea’s match had to be on Sunday, three days before Roberto di Matteo’s men face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

That, coupled with a 1700 GMT kickoff time, angered Chelsea who asked for the match to be switched to Friday to give them more time to prepare for the Barca match, but the FA refused.

LONDON, April 12 (Reuters) – Liverpool must overcome a goalkeeping crisis to beat Everton while Tottenham Hotspur need to rediscover their confidence to get past Chelsea in this weekend’s FA Cup semi-final derbies at Wembley Stadium.

What are likely to be two nerve-jangling matches will grab centre stage from the Premier League with Liverpool meeting Everton on Saturday and Spurs facing Chelsea on Sunday with a place in the May 5 final awaiting the winners.

None of the clubs are strangers to FA Cup glory having won the trophy 26 times between them since 1901.

The Merseyside affair on Saturday has an added poignancy being played the day before the anniversary of the Hillsborough Stadium disaster when 96 Liverpool fans died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Liverpool were given dispensation by the FA not to play on the actual date of the tragedy – April 15 – when an annual memorial service is held at Anfield.

That meant Chelsea’s match had to be on Sunday, three days before Roberto di Matteo’s men face Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final at Stamford Bridge.

That, coupled with a 1700 GMT kickoff time, angered Chelsea who asked for the match to be switched to Friday to give them more time to prepare for the Barca match, but the FA refused.