Preston miss the chance to go up to third, as they draw 1-1 with bottom club Yeovil. Gozie Ugwu had he Glovers in front before former Wolves striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake levelled.

There were no goals between play-off chasers Doncaster and Notts County at the Keepmoat.

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says it was a great semi final and it is very good for the Capital One Cup. He is complimentary toward Liverpool, conceding that they did not deserve to lose tonight. Full reaction to come.

All over in the Championship. Middlesbrough move to within a point of leaders Bournemouth after beating Cardiff 2-1. Patrick Bamford and Lee Tomlin were on target for the home team before Kenwyne Jones pulled a goal back for the Bluebirds.

Bournemouth went down 1-0 against Leeds, who recorded their first win in nine matches. Luke Murphy scored before Giuseppe Bellusci was sent off for the Whites. Yann Kermorgant had the chance to equalise but hit the bar with a late penalty.

BBC Sport chief football writer Phil McNulty at Anfield

"Liverpool will feel they deserve to take an advantage to Stamford Bridge after an excellent second half but you would just say advantage Chelsea - thanks to the brilliant goalkeeping of Thibaut Courtois."

Image source, AFP

Patrick Wall:, external Liverpool's 19 shots to Chelsea's 2. Of which one was a penalty. Proof of a negative side if I've ever seen one.

Deniz Eras:, external As a Chelsea fan I'm disappointed we didn't try to win today. Hate defensive football.

David Farrell:, external Great game. Artistry, pace and trickery vs raw power and toughness. Chelsea will never be loved though.

The old classic 'happy with a point' from a cup game there from Thibaut Courtois. Schoolboy error.

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst at Anfield for BBC 5 live

"Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling, Alberto Moreno, Lazar Markovic and Adam Lallana to a certain extent decided to run at Chelsea at pace. If you've got pace, you can cause the best of teams all sorts of problems.

"Sterling's goal was one of those breathtaking moments you see in football occasionally."

Chelsea winger Eden Hazard: "It wasn't the best but we are good for the second game. We defended very well and it is a good result. Simon Mignolet has saved penalties from me in training with Belgium so I was a little bit scared!"

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois: "Considering the chances they had we have to be happy with a draw. We can finish it at home."

Image source, EPA

A strong second half from Liverpool but it still took a moment of inspiration from Raheem Sterling to break the Chelsea resistance. I fancy we could see a very different approach from Jose Mourinho and co next week.

Is a 1-1 draw good enough for Liverpool? One thing is for sure, they have to score at Stamford Bridge...

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst at Anfield for BBC 5 live

"Chelsea were the better team in the first half and deserved their lead but Liverpool were better in the second half than Chelsea were in the first.

"They were very good value for the draw. Chelsea would have been surprised by the way that Liverpool came back at them tonight."

Dramatic finales in the Championship. At Elland Road, Giuseppe Bellusci has been sent off for Leeds after conceding a penalty but Bournemouth's Yann Kermorgant crashes the spot-kick against the bar. On Teesside, Cardiff have grabbed a lifeline against Middlesbrough as Kenwyne Jones makes it 2-1.

All over. The tie is anyone's but Chelsea remain favourites thanks to their goal from Eden Hazard's early penalty.

TWO MINUTES added on. A feat of fine dexterity from Thibaut Courtois keeps the ball in as he claims a deflected cross.

Liverpool knocking on the door but the late winner doesn't look like coming. Get it to Raheem!

Image source, PA

Mark Lawrenson
Football Analyst at Anfield for BBC 5 live

"Willian is taking his time going off for Chelsea. Either he's taken a knock or he had an unbelievably hot curry last night."

Away goals come into play in the second leg - but only after extra-time. Why? Who knows. It confuses me every year.

Chelsea make a change to kill the clock as Cesar Azpilicueta replaces a dawdling Willian.

Tom Lafferty:, external Skrtel must have been brought up in ancient Sparta - quality display!

Ada:, external How many times this season have Chelsea been completely toothless when attacking? Mignolet could take a kip if he wants.

Michael Gaffney:, external Perfectly set up now for Adam Lallana to finish it off.

Sylvan Ebanks-Blake has levelled for Preston at home to Yeovil, where it is 1-1. It remains 0-0 between Doncaster and Notts County.

There's no waiting around for leg two by the way, same again next Tuesday, at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea to start as favourites as it stands.

Another Adam Reach assist helps Middlesbrough establish a 2-0 lead over Cardiff in the Championship as Lee Tomlin gets on the scoresheet. Leaders Bournemouth trail Leeds at Elland Road after Luke Murphy's first-half strike. Marc Pugh has hit the post for the visitors.