Chelsea beat Liverpool 3-2 after extra-time in a thrilling League Cup final to claim their first trophy under manager Jose Mourinho in a thrilling encounter at the Millennium Stadium.
Goals from Didier Drogba and substitute Mateja Kezman clinched victory for Chelsea after Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard's own goal 11 minutes from normal time had given Chelsea a lifeline.
Things started so differently though, and with just 43 seconds on the clock, Liverpool were in front. Fernando Morientes arced over a searching deep cross from the right and Riise, unmarked at the far post, unleashed a powerful volley that left Cech with no chance.
Despite overwhelming possession, Chelsea could find no way through a resolute Liverpool defence for the next 78 minutes, but were handed a lifeline from an unlikely source.
Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who had minutes earlier wasted a glorious chance to put Liverpool 2-0 ahead, rose to defend a harmless-looking Paulo Ferreira free kick only to deflect the ball past goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Mourinho immediately became involved in unsavoury scenes behind his dug-out with Liverpool fans as he gestured towards the Liverpool supporters before being sent down the tunnel. The Chelsea boss had earlier became embroiled in a slanging match with Jamie Carragher and Luis Garcia.
Both sides had great chances to win it late on, Chelsea's Frank Lampard lashing one shot over the crossbar while Liverpool substitute Milan Baros slicing horribly wide in stoppage time, when he was clean through on the left.
Despite having a days less rest after their mid-week European game, Chelsea looked the fresher of the two sides in extra time and should have taken the lead when Drogba headed a Damien Duff cross against the post shortly after the resumption of play.
Liverpool substitute Igor Biscan had a chance when he outjumped the Chelsea defence from a dead-ball but he could only direct his header over the crossbar.
Minutes later Chelsea took the lead for the first time when £24million record singing Drogba scuffed a close-range effort past Dudek on 107 minutes, after Sami Hyypia appeared to duck out of a challenge for the cross.
Substitute Kezman bundled in a third goal against a tiring Liverpool side five minutes later seemingly wrapping up the game. However Liverpool refused to lie down and Antonio Nunez's immediate headed reply set up an anxious finale, but the Blues hung on.
