Chelsea captain John Terry felt his side deserved their place in the Champions League final after a dramatic 4-3 aggregate win over Liverpool.

The Blues reached the final for the first time after losing in three semi-finals in four years.

"It's fantastic. I think we've fully deserved it over the years," he said.

Frank Lampard, Chelsea qualify for Champions League final ...
Angry Drogba hits back at Benitez ...
Drogba double dents Arsenal hopes ...
Football: Mascherano to L'pool ... whose mother died last week, scored a penalty, and Terry said: "What a character he is. It's been a terrible week for him and his family."

Lampard had an excellent game in midfield and his efforts also won praise from Chelsea coach Avram Grant.

"Frank played very well and in my opinion was one of our key players today. It is not an easy thing he is under. He gave everything to the team," he said.

England midfielder Lampard stepped up after Sami Hyypia brought down Michael Ballack to make the score 3-2 on aggregate in extra time.

Didier Drogba scored his second of the game to make it 3-1 on the night and 4-2 overall, before Ryan Babel's long-range effort made for a nervous finish.

"It is something amazing," said Drogba. "Today we did very well. I am really pleased for the club because we've been looking for this final for too long."

Grant said he was proud to have achieved something predecessor Jose Mourinho had failed to manage by getting the better of Liverpool in the last four of the Champions League.

"There's only one 'special one'," he joked.

"But this was special against Liverpool. They are a fantastic team and Rafa played tactically. You need to be clever against him but we did it.

"We have created history and I am very proud we did it my way. But I don't like to say 'I' because (owner) Roman (Abramovich), he created this club, my staff are excellent, my assistants, everybody."

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez had stoked up controversy before the match by accusing Drogba of diving and claiming he had a dossier of the striker's past antics.

Drogba, who led Chelsea's line magnificently on Wednesday, made a point of celebrating his first goal right in front of the Liverpool bench.

"Benitez is a fantastic coach and I was a bit disappointed but I think he felt his team was not strong enough and Chelsea were going to beat them," he said.

"I am just happy for my team and I don't want to think about others. It's not good for my image. I'm giving my best to put my team at the top and I think it's not fair but it's finished."

(BBC)

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