Mourinho bullish after win

Jose Mourinho insists Chelsea are confident of finishing the job in the return leg at Anfield next week after Joe Cole's first-half goal gave his side a slender Champions League semi-final advantage.

Cole struck in the 29th minute to give Chelsea a 1-0 first-leg win and hope of reaching the Champions League final in Athens on May 23, and Mourinho said: "I am happy with the players. Very happy. It is a positive result.

"We are in front and when the game starts in Liverpool, Chelsea will be winning 1-0. We had more than enough chances in the first half to score two, three or four goals."

He added: "We had big chances to score and then they had a reaction in the second half. But they only had one chance - a Steve Gerrard shot that saw Petr Cech make an unbelievable save.

"We were not as dangerous in the second half although we had situations on the counter attack. But overall I think Chelsea deserved a victory - no doubt about it.

"One goal more would have been fairer especially after what we did in the first half. But football is about what it is and it is a 1-0 result.

"For sure (Rafael) Benitez and his people will think it is a result that gives them a chance to be in the final. But me and my people think the result gives us a chance to in the final, so everything is open.

"They are a strong side at home and they have a history of success in the Champions League over decades but we think we have a chance."