Blue flag flies high

Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea are through to the Champions League semi-finals after the Blues pulled off a stunning victory over London rivals Arsenal, beating the Gunners 2-1 on the night and 3-2 on aggregate.

England left-back Wayne Bridge was the surprise hero when he combined with Eidur Gudjohnsen to score a late winning goal that sees Chelsea go into the last four of the competition for the very first time.

In what was a brilliant match, Arsenal seized the early initiative when Jose Antonio Reyes scored from a few yards out to give the hosts the half-time lead.

But in truth that lead was barely deserved and when Frank Lampard equalised six minutes after the break it was just reward for all Chelsea's endeavour.

Rather than the all-out assaults normally mounted at Highbury by the home side, this match was a thrilling display of end-to-end football with both sides enjoying good chances.

In the opening twenty minutes Thierry Henry had two efforts at goal, both of which were wide of the target before the best chance of the match was fashioned by Damien Duff.

Bridge sent the Irishman racing down the left channel and having cut inside Sol Campbell, only Edu's last-gasp challenge prevented Duff from shooting past Lehmann for a famous goal.

Further chances came and went for both sides - Robert Pires just failed to score a carbon copy of his goal in the first leg when he headed Cole's cross into the side-netting and Gudjohnsen should have done better when Bridge's cross from the left fell invitingly for him at the back post.

Then, slightly against the run of play, Arsenal took the lead and seemingly control of the tie.

Lauren's deep cross was headed invitingly back across goal by Henry and while Freddie Ljungberg just failed to make contact, Reyes' timing was impeccable as he arrived on cue to bundle the ball home.

Having taken such a body blow on the stroke of half-time, Chelsea could have folded but Ranieri's side responded in stylish fashion.

Jesper Gronkjaer was brought on for Scott Parker to add a bit more pace down the right wing, as the visitors searched for the away goal that they had to score.

After dominating the early play in the second period, it was no surprise when the Blues did draw level through the increasingly talismanic figure of Frank Lampard.