Jackpot Joe but Mourinho manages to have a moan

Chelsea put one foot into the Champions League Final by beating Liverpool 1-0 on Wednesday night but manager Jose Mourinho still managed to embroil himself in another embarrassing refereeing row.

Joe Cole's 29th-minute strike at Stamford Bridge proved decisive in the first leg but Mourinho claimed referee Markus Merk's failure to punish Alvaro Arbeloa's handball in the 49th minute could cost them them the tie.

Scroll down to read more:

Chelsea's controversial manager claimed in his post-match television interview that it was cast-iron penalty and would "haunt his team for 24 hours".

However, TV replays showed the offence was committed outside the area.

Mourinho said: "I hope it is not a mistake like the one two years ago at Anfield. It was a handball for sure. I hope in the second leg we are not crying about a big decision like that.

"If it was inside the box then it was a penalty and if it was outside then it was a free-kick — which one it is I can't say 100 per cent.

"The referee was top, but he made a mistake like everyone in the game. With a free-kick, you reduce the chance to score, but you still have a chance."

His comments drew a sarcastic response from Liverpool chief Rafael Benitez — "if Mourinho says it was a penalty, it was a penalty" — but at least they agreed that the tie is delicately poised.

Liverpool may also face UEFA sanctions after three water bottles were thrown from the visitors section at Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the first half.

Chelsea, who were watched by Inter manager Roberto Mancini, deserved to take the lead after a controlled first-half display, but they took their foot off the pedal after the break.

Cole's strike was the first time Chelsea have scored against Liverpool in five Champions League meetings, but they are in pole position to reach the final — potentially against Manchester United — in Athens on May 23.

Mourinho, whose side face Bolton in a a crucial Premiership clash on Saturday, claimed Benitez will rest players at Portsmouth on the same day in preparation for the second leg.

He said: "The power is not with us but we played very well and it is my players' dream to reach the final."

Chelsea were beaten by Luis Garcia's "ghost goal" two years ago and Benitez said there will be another special Anfield welcome for them on Tuesday.

"We beat them 2-0 in January and that is the message I will send to my players," he said. "I don't like to talk about referees because it puts them under pressure.

"We didn't play well in the first half, but when we got Peter Crouch on we had a target man to aim for."