HOWZAT

From Alonso’s cross, Kuyt had a header unconvincingly slapped away by Cech, who then missed Aurélio’s cross with impunity. Chelsea were lucky to go in for the interval in a winning position on aggregate.

Meanwhile, their fans pondered the wisdom of chants. “Stuff your history,” they had sneered at the visitors (or words to that effect). “We’re going to Rome.” Getting as far as Barcelona seemed a tall order until Anelka sent the ball to the near post for the increasingly influential Drogba.

Next was Alex. All Lampard did, in giving Chelsea the lead from Drogba’s cross in the 76th minute, was to make Liverpool shed all inhibition and somehow retrieve the lead, which Lampard promptly denied them. From afar, their fans watched Chelsea’s celebrations. They had witnessed a failure so glorious only Hillsborough could drive it from their minds.

Shooting certainties

A choice selection of Champions League ties in which goalkeepers were endangered species:

Barcelona 5 Chelsea 1 (aet)

(2000; Barcelona won 6-4 on agg)

Gianluca Vialli’s side, outclassed and largely outfought, can only watch helplessly as their 3-1 lead from the first leg disappears. Barcelona take a 2-0 lead through Rivaldo’s 25-yard free kick and a Luís Figo goal. Despite Tore Andre Flo pulling one back, Barcelona stormed to victory.

Manchester United 7 Roma 1

(2007; aggregate 8-3)

Trailing Roma 2-1 from the first leg six days earlier, United made a mockery of suggestions that the match might be cagey with a mesmerising triumph, their biggest in the Champions League. Michael Carrick scored twice, with further goals from Alan Smith, Wayne Rooney, Cristiano Ronaldo, Ryan Giggs and Patrice Evra. Roma replied through Daniele De Rossi.

Bayern Munich 7 Sporting Lisbon 1

(2009; aggregate 12-1)

Bayern Munich reach the quarter-finals with the largest aggregate victory in the Champions League era, bettering Spartak Moscow’s 9-0 first-round win over Skonto Riga in 1993-94. Lukas Podolski scores twice for Bayern, whose only blot was João Moutinho’s goal to make it 3-1. The most goals scored in a European match remains 14, set in 1969 when Feyenoord beat KR Reykjavik 12-2.

Chelsea (4-1-2-2-1): P Cech — B Ivanovic, Alex, R Carvalho, A Cole — M Essien — M Ballack, F Lampard — S Kalou (sub: N Anelka, 36min), F Malouda — D Drogba (sub: F Di Santo, 90). Substitutes not used: Hilário, J O Mikel, J Belletti, Deco, M Mancienne. Booked: Ivanovic, Carvalho, Cole.

Liverpool (4-3-2-1): J M Reina — Á Arbeloa (sub: R Babel, 85), J Carragher, M Skrtel, F Aurélio — Lucas Leiva, J Mascherano (sub: A Riera, 69), X Alonso — D Kuyt, Y Benayoun — F Torres (sub: D Ngog, 80). Substitutes not used: D Cavalieri, A Dossena, S Hyypia, D Agger. Booked: Benayoun, Arbeloa.

Referee: L Medina Cantalejo (Spain).