Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea: Grant jubilant after freak own goal

Avram Grant toasted Chelsea's freak equaliser - and then insisted the Blues have taken a big step towards the Champions League Final.

Grant was jubilant and celebrated wildly after watching Liverpool substitute John Arne Riise head into his own net in the fifth minute of injury time to give Chelsea a precious away goal for next Wednesday's second leg.

Riise, one of Liverpool's Champions League heroes in 2005, left the pitch devastated and Anfield was stunned after Dirk Kuyt's first-half opener was cancelled out to leave Chelsea in control.

Chelsea boss Grant believes his men are now in the driving seat after Liverpool's injurytime heartbreak and is confident of finally making it third time lucky for owner Roman Abramovich after twice losing to Liverpool in the semi-finals. Grant said: "I feel that we deserved to score in the last minute.

"The own goal gave us a big advantage for the second game, but it will still be a tough game.

"We've conceded three or four goals in the last few minutes, so to score in the last moment ourselves made us very happy. It was a great result.

"From day one since I've been here I've said that, for Chelsea to be considered a big club, we need to be in the final of the Champions League.

"This has not promised us a place in the final, but it's a good step."

Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard hailed Petr Cech as the best keeper in the world after he made two stunning saves from Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres.

Lampard said: "Big Petr is unlucky with injuries, but he keeps coming back even better. He was fantastic."

He also claimed Chelsea should have had a penalty for Jamie Carragher's challenge on Didier Drogba.

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez said: "We need to start thinking positively about next week's second leg."