UEFA Champions League Semi-Finals
All-English CL Final still on course
Just who Chelsea's opponents will be remains unsure after Manchester United managed only the narrowest of victories in their first leg clash at home to fellow English side Arsenal.
FC Barcelona 0 Chelsea 0
Chelsea took a giant step towards their second successive UEFA Champions League by holding Spanish La Liga leaders FC Barcelona to a goalless draw in their semi-final first leg meeting at the Nou Camp.
Barcelona had proved invincible on home territory in the Champions League this term, having thumped four past Bayern Munich in the home leg in the previous round. But the Catalonians could not break down a resolute Chelsea defence, despite enjoying plenty of possession in the game.
John Terry and Alex were the glue that held the Chelsea defence together as they stunted the Barca attack.
FC Barcelona's Thierry Henry, Bojan and Alex Hleb both had their chances to break the deadlock, but it was Chelsea who the best opportunity to score when Didier Drogba was denied by Victor Valdes .
The only downside is that Chelsea failed to score an away goal, which could prove their downfall should the two sides remain tied after next month's second leg meeting. But with Barca, normally indomitable at the Nou Camp, having been held at home, the odds must now be on Chelsea charging through to another all-English Champions League final when they two sides meet for semi-final the second leg at Stamford Bridge on 6th May.
Manchester United 1 Arsenal 0
Arsenal will be relieved to go into their second leg clash at the Emirates Stadium on 5th May just one goal in arrears.
UEFA Champions League holders Manchester United dominated the opening stages of this all-English Premier League club clash at Old Trafford. Sir Alex Ferguson's were rewarded for their domination when right back John O'Shea crashed Michael Carrick's cross into the roof of the net on 17 minutes.
Arsenal, on the back foot for the first half hour, eased back into the game, though they would have considered themselves lucky to be just one goal in arrears at the interval.
Manchester United could have doubled their advantage, but Cristiano Ronaldo saw his shot ricochet off the cross bar.
Arsenal managed to hold out and give themselves a chance of making the UEFA Champions League final in Rome when they line up against Manchester United again in next week's second leg.
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