What a way to end a seven-game run without an away win in Europe! Branislav Ivanovic's first two goals for Chelsea plus yet another Didier Drogba strike against Liverpool have put Chelsea firmly in the driving seat.

And all this came after going a goal down within minutes of the start - but the players held their nerve, equalised before the break via our right-back, and then got better and better as the game went on with the second and third coming midway through the second half.

It was subdued Anfield by the end, the home fans reduced to singing about past glories. No-one will take anything for granted in the second leg, but as long as the mental fortitude shown tonight is repeated, optimism can be high for a fifth Champions League semi-final.

Of Guus Hiddink's initial selection decisions, the retention of Ivanovic at right-back and the decision to use Essien as a holding midfielder against the running of Gerrard caused little surprise. Less expected was Anelka dropped to the bench with Kalou and Malouda flanking the returning Drogba.

There was a difference in shape too - with Ballack playing deep and near Essien, Chelsea more or less matching up Liverpool's 4-2-3-1.

Liverpool won the first corner of the game in the second minute - headed out by Alex to Kuyt whose well-struck drive was deflected wide by Ivanovic.

With the next shot Chelsea wouldn't be so fortunate. The ball was played out to Arbeloa on the right whose low cross found Torres. Of all the people to leave unmarked, the Spaniard isn't the one and with three Chelsea players standing off, he fired first time and low past Cech.

It was a horrible start, but the Blues were only in the position that they faced here last season.

Drogba had a chance for near instant response when Kalou robbed Aurelio. One-on-one with Reina, Drogba couldn't find a way past when more times than not he would score.

While Gerrard may have been receiving plenty of attention from Essien and Ballack, the team shape was allowing space for the deeper Alonso to operate and Chelsea were losing out in midfield.

Lampard missed out to Gerrard in the tackle as Liverpool broke quickly but the defence this time held out. Lampard then had a 14^th minute shot from the edge of the area charged down as the game switched ends again.

Midway through the half, Kalou and Drogba worked the ball across the front of the area to Malouda who took aim but fired wide of the far post.

This was a better spell for the Blues who were now playing Ballack further up. We soon won our first corner.

That amounted to little but soon Kalou, who had started as brightly as any Chelsea player chipped over to onside Alex but the ball bounced out of reach with Reina closing.

Liverpool began to force the pace again, Torres robbing Lampard and shooting worryingly close to the target.

Drogba went just as close on 28 minutes but from a far better position. He had regained footing after slipping as he took a Ballack pass. From just 10 yards out the ball was rifled over. It was a big wasted opportunity.

On half-an-hour Kalou was booked for kicking the ball away after a Ballack foul.

Arbeloa, up from the Liverpool back was next to shot, this time wide as Liverpool continued to look the side most likely to score. But then with five minutes to go before the interval, Chelsea won our third corner.

Malouda was the taker from the right side and sent it right into the mix where Ivanovic beat Reina and all to head in from six yards out. It was the Serb's first Chelsea goal - and what an occasion to net it!

There was still work to do to retain parity for the break - Cech saving well from Kuyt. But you could guarantee those in blue would have taken this half-time position just five minutes into the tie.

Gerrard had the first shot of the second half, a 25-yarder that bounced wide with Cech showing minimal concern.

Chelsea went a lot closer 51 minutes in. It was in an interchange with Lampard that put Drogba through on the left but although his shot beat Reina, Carragher slide in to clear just a couple of yards from the line.

This was not the cagey affair of past such meetings. Torres missed from a dangerous position under pressure from Alex.

On 59 minutes came the incident that will cost us our skipper for the second leg. Terry barged into Reina seconds after a bouncing ball had been claimed and was shown his third yellow of this season's competition after both players had received treatment.

You wouldn't have put it past Terry to instantly score a goal to make amends but instead just two minutes later it was fellow defender Ivanovic thumping in his second with a header, this time from a Lampard corner.

Many Chelsea followers would have settled for the 2-1 win there and then but not the players. The third goal came on 66 minutes, Malouda again involved as he received Ballack's excellent pass between defenders.

The cross was low but perfect for Drogba to slide in and finish from close range at the far post.

Liverpool came within a whisker of handing over a gift-wrapped fourth as Reina needed to save from substitute Dossena after Drogba had crossed.

Anelka came on for Drogba on 79 minutes, the man coming off having enjoyed a good second half and the rest of the game was played out in relative comfort.

Once Cech, who had come and claimed numerous high balls throughout the night, tipped over Alonso's long-range effort in stoppage time, the two-goal lead for the second leg was assured.

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech; Ivanovic, Alex, Terry (c), A Cole; Ballack, Essien; Kalou, Lampard, Malouda; Drogba (Anelka 79).
Scorers Ivanovic 40, 62, Drogba 66.
Booked Kalou 30, Terry 60.

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Aurelio (Dossena 75); Lucas (Babel 80), Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard (c), Riera (Benayoun 68); Torres.
Scorer Torres 5.  Booked  Aurelio 74.

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