adminA late, late winner from the much-maligned striker took the Blues through to the last four on Tuesday.
Demba Ba, a forgotten man for most of this season, aware that Mourinho does not consider him a “real striker” — though sent on ahead of Fernando Torres last night.
But with just three minutes standing between PSG and the last four, Rafa Benitez’s only Chelsea signing got the touch that sent Chelsea into the semi-finals, again.
Who says Mourinho doesn’t write his own scripts? That he isn’t “Special” any more?
Now eight quarter-final appearances in the Champions League, with Porto, Chelsea, Inter and Real Madrid. An unprecedented eight victories.
And this, perhaps, the greatest, the most unlikely.
Not only just the third time a side has clawed back a 3-1 deficit, but one grasped with sheer desire, heart and courage, just as it appeared all their efforts would be in vain.
All the more joyous, too, for the circumstances.
Barely a quarter of an hour, Chelsea lost their talisman, when Eden Hazard, the best in a Blue shirt by a million miles all season, limped off.
Already without the midfield legs of the suspended Ramires, everything appeared to be conspiring against Chelsea, PSG calm and measured.
Yet from somewhere, from deep within their collective souls, Chelsea found the energy and drive to get the goal that breathed life into their endeavours.
PSG keeper Salvatore Sirigu had performed wonders to keep out Frank Lampard’s deflected free-kick but just after the half-hour mark, Hazard’s replacement, Andre Schurrle, delivered.
Thiago Motta, ruffled out of his composure by Gary Cahill, made a complete dog’s breakfast of Branislav Ivanovic’s long throw and David Luiz, cleverly arched his back.
Schurrle, the man preferred to Torres in Paris, demonstrated why, sweeping home on the half-volley and with Chelsea playing the referee brilliantly, cranking up the tempo, PSG retreated into their shell.
Twice in a matter of seconds at the start of the second period, Chelsea were so, so close to getting the second they craved.
First it was Schurrle, crashing first time against the bar from the edge of the box after Oscar and Willian had combined to set up the opening.
Then, with Eto’o was fouled in the resulting scramble, Oscar placed his free-kick over the wall and the keeper’s glove, only for it to come back off the same piece of woodwork
Blanc’s response, sending on Yohan Cabaye, regained the lost initiative.
The former Newcastle man passed with poise and purpose and twice Edinson Cavani had the opportunities to put the tie to bed, failing to hit the target on either occasion, while Petr Cech held on to Lucas Moura’s drive.
Even so, with Ba on for Lampard and, only 10 minutes from time, the £50million man sent into the fray, Chelsea were running out of time.
Mourinho, surely, was cursing those few seconds of Parisian madness at the end of stoppage time last week, after he had already shaken hands on a 2-1 defeat, punished by Javier Pastore.
Sometimes, though, all the pretty football in the world is less effective than a pump into the box.
Eto’o made a nuisance of himself, the ball was half-cleared, Cesar Azpilicueta’s hack went through the six yard box and there was Ba, in behind Maxwell, to somehow turn past the keeper.
Cue bedlam, Mourinho’s dash and words in the ears of Terry, Schurrle and others, a frantic spell of injury-time.
But Cech saved Alex’s header, turned Marquinhos’ shot round the post and then punched away the final corner.
Once again, Chelsea and Mourinho had found a way of confounding everything. Once more, as in 2005 and 2007, they are in the semi-finals.
This time, though, it cannot end at Anfield. Can it end at the Stadium of Light? — Mirror
Online Reporter