Emotions run high as Chelsea reach final

By Mike Collett

LONDON (Reuters) - Chelsea reached the Champions League final for the first time on Wednesday, beating Liverpool 3-2 after extra time at rain-lashed Stamford Bridge to set up a meeting with Manchester United in Moscow next month.

Two goals from Didier Drogba and a penalty from a grieving Frank Lampard gave them a 4-3 aggregate victory in a dramatic semi-final against the side that had knocked them out twice at this stage in the last three seasons.

Liverpool's goals came from Fernando Torres and Ryan Babel, whose speculative 40-metre shot three minutes from the end of extra time somehow bamboozled Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and revived Liverpool's hopes for the last few minutes.

But Chelsea held on in an absorbing match that was in the balance until the final kick to repay billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich for the millions of pounds he has invested in the west London club since taking over in 2003.

They can now look forward to facing Manchester United in the first all-English Champions League final on May 21.

"It has not sunk in properly," said Chelsea captain John Terry. "We will enjoy tonight but it will take 24 hours to sink in. I think everyone is looking forward to an all-English final. It will be a very tough game in three weeks' time."

HAPPY GRANT

Chelsea coach Avram Grant added: "I'm very very happy. Every time you create history is something special. We created history and I'm very proud that I did it in my way and I don't want to say 'I' but it is time to thank everybody."