Oh what a night!

It's been an absolute pleasure tonight, guys and girls. We'll be back tomorrow for the second leg of the remaining semi-final between Tottenham and Sheffield United. Until then... goodnight.

Image source, Oscar

Journalist Ian Herbert, chief sportswriter at The Independent, on Twitter:, external "Mourinho on Costa stamps: 'I have to say 'absolutely accidental.' He goes after the ball, chases the ball.'"

Nene Odonkor:, external The last time Ivanovic won us the game in the semi finals, we went on to win the trophy. Will history repeat itself?

Diego Costa has certainly generated some controversy this evening...

Myles Harrison:, external Why does Jose go on about the penalty when Costa shouldn't have even been on the pitch? Selective vision.

Josh Andain:, external Love him or hate him, Costa just doesn't care, he's a fighter.

Stamford Bridge is eerily quiet now as the players begin to emerge from the dressing room and head for home. This famous old stage has seen a truly epic battle this evening.

So who will Chelsea be playing in the final? Tottenham or Sheffield United? The Premier League side go into tomorrow night's second leg in the Steel City with a 1-0 lead from the first meeting.

Nick Cochrane:, external Liverpool gave Chelsea their toughest game this season. Not Spurs who hammered them 5-3 then? Ridiculous.

Chelsea did what they so often do tonight - they got the job done. Clinical. But how much will extra time affect them ahead of Saturday's Premier League title tussle with Manchester City?

Lifa Nati:, external Chelsea win a hard fought game but Liverpool get all the credit, am I missing something? Liverpool spent £100m+ in the summer.

Image source, EPA

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to BBC Sport: "I thought we had a number of opportunities - Raheem Sterling, Philippe Coutinho. If you assess it over two legs their goalkeeper has won them the tie. He is a world-class keeper.

"I thought tactically our pressing was very, very good. We created chances and gave them problems. Through to half time I don't think they had a shot on target. They are a top-class team and very competitive. This competition has allowed us to regain our identity. Now we have to move on.

"We gave the ball away cheaply for their goal and our line could have been better.

"We were better in every aspect of our game but we just couldn't get the big goals. Sometimes you have a barrier in your way and tonight and last week it was Courtois.

"We are very determined to get back in the Champions League places so we have to stay focused."

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers, speaking to Sky Sports: "I thought they were outstanding. Over the course of two legs we were the better team. We had good opportunities to score but didn't score. I feel nothing but pride really because the players gave everything.

"It was difficult when they scored because the players had worked so hard, pressed the game, we changed the shape to get an opportunity to score but I think the legs had started to go a bit in that period."

Exclusive:, external Can take a loss when we put effort in and try our best, that's all us as supporters ask for. Reality is, you'll win some and lose some.

James Campbell:, external It's not progress. It's a choke. Liverpool have the same problem. Build-up with no end product. Balotelli has sunk to new lows.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to Sky Sports after being asked if Diego Costa had stamped on two different Liverpool players: "I don't want to speak about decisions and decisions. If I have to speak to something I have to speak to something I know. When a player stops a counter-attack with a handball it's a yellow card, when a player kicks a player in the box it is a penalty. Speak about Costa and the penalty he had, let Costa play his football."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on whether the Blues should have been awarded a penalty when Martin Skrtel tripped Diego Costa: "If I speak, people will say Mourinho again. If I speak the FA will try to punish me like they always do, or try. I think it's better for you to do it. But it's so clear that even winning the game I have to ask myself why. But the most important thing is that we won, the group is happy and the supporters were absolutely wonderful. The final at Wembley always means a lot. Wembley has history and the fans they want to go, they pushed us."

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, speaking to Sky Sports: "This is a new Liverpool team and a very difficult opponent. So I'm even happier because we beat a very good team over two legs.

"The difference was the goal that should have happened before in the 90 minutes. In the second half we had a lot of football.

"Also, my Ramires is back, that's the second best news of the day. The first to be in the final but to have our Ramires back after weeks of work and sacrifice."

Saidmadrid:, external Liverpool got some pride back and proved they can compete with Chelsea. Signing Ballotelli wasn't the brightest idea though.

Anase Ogbewele:, external Chelsea's game plan played out perfectly. A little too many risks taken but job done. Bring on City.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin at Stamford Bridge
BBC Radio 5 live

"If I had to give out Man of the Match I'd give it to Kurt Zouma. He was a surprise choice, but he kept Raheem Sterling quiet tonight. You never know how quick he is, because he gets himself into good positions and never has to really turn it on."

Alistair Lowe:, external Liverpool's lack of strikers will haunt them. Work your socks off and be good in possession, no good if you can't score.

James:, external I think tonight shows that Liverpool need a striker urgently - even with Sturridge they still need another to help.

Former Scotland international Pat Nevin at Stamford Bridge
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"It was captivating. First and foremost, I thought Liverpool were fantastic tonight. Henderson was brilliant. The way they've got themselves back after a sticky start to the season shows Brendan Rodgers has got a huge amount out of this team."