OPENING ACT: Didier Drogba beating Jose Reina at his near post to put Chelsea 1-0 up. -- PHOTO: AP

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As his players danced, jumped and shouted some 30 metres away, Grant thought about the Holocaust - remembered on April 30 in his native Israel - and his late grandfather.

Some 25 minutes earlier, Frank Lampard had kissed his black armband after scoring.

He knew that despite Bill Shankly's famous saying, football is not a matter of life and death. It can, however, provide some compensation to the bereaved.

For Grant, it appeared to provide relief.

Relief, perhaps, that his big decision to play Lampard had paid off. Relief, too, that he had gone one better than Jose Mourinho and finally steered Chelsea to a Champions League final.

The irony was that his greatest triumph was orchestrated by Mourinho's two closest allies, Lampard and Didier Drogba.

Sometimes key matches are determined by big-game players and Chelsea's last two fixtures are cases in point.

Michael Ballack imposed himself on the match with Manchester United last week. Drogba was as dominant against Liverpool.

Force of personality and, in Drogba's case, physical power, can be as relevant as tactics or team talks.

That said, Grant's intrigued.

Chelsea were in the ascendant for 45 minutes, sedate for the rest of normal time and resurgent thereafter.

Does the Israeli deserve blame for anaesthetising them at half-time, or merit credit for rousing them after 90 minutes?

Whichever, his faith in Lampard was entirely justified.

The midfielder's coolly-converted penalty gave Chelsea an extra-time lead, and his reaction showed its significance after the loss of his mother.

He had appeared focused on his return and, especially in the build-up to Drogba's first goal, his passing was perceptive.

It was enjoyed enthusiastically in front of the Liverpool bench.

Drogba is no diplomat. The Ivorian's two inch-perfect near-post finishes were indications why Rafa Benitez was so worried. His worst fears were realised as Drogba, Chelsea's brutal enigma, responded.

For much of the campaign he has appeared unsettled, warring with team-mates and opponents.

On Wednesday, he was unstoppable, augmenting his sheer strength with the intelligent movement to convert Chelsea's third goal.

It was the first indication of an understanding with Nicolas Anelka. Grant, who had brought on the Frenchman for the ineffective Joe Cole, should share in the praise.

Two of his senior players were quietly effective.

Ballack, continuing his renaissance, earned the penalty to cap an energetic display while Claude Makelele helped negate Steven Gerrard, until the Liverpool captain was moved to the left.

Michael Essien, meanwhile, demonstrated his remarkable versatility with a display on marauding excellence at right-back.

But, as Benitez said, it was very close.

Liverpool can point, too, to vital saves in both matches by Petr Cech. The Chelsea goalkeeper erred for Ryan Babel's late consolation goal but by then, as Benitez admitted, the tie was over.

They can wonder if Salomon Kalou was fractionally offside before Drogba's first goal, if Sami Hyypia should have had an extra-time penalty and what would have happened had Martin Skrtel been fit to continue.

Hyypia, valiant servant as he has been, was caught out by Ballack, who earned Lampard's spot kick.

Given their superiority at Anfield, Liverpool might count themselves unfortunate.

It will be hard for them to shed the thought that the defining moment of the two legs was John Arne Riise's injury-time own goal at Anfield.

For all Wednesday's drama, it is rare that one moment shifts momentum so decisively.

It is rare, too, that co-owner Tom Hicks visits the dressing room after a game, though he was apparently amiable.

In contrast, Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich stayed away.

Chelsea would not be Chelsea without speculation about the connotations.

But, amid all the talk of money that accompanies Chelsea, this was a night when they showed their human side.

stsports@sph.com.sg

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS

FIRST LEG
Liverpool 1 Chelsea 1

SECOND LEG
Chelsea 3 Liverpool 2 (aet, 90min: 1-1)

Chelsea win 4-3 on aggregate