Joe Cole scored the only goal to give Chelsea a narrow victory over Liverpool in their Champions League semi-final first-leg clash at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.

Cole slid in Didier Drogba's cross after 29 minutes to give Jose Mourinho's side the upper hand.

But the 1-0 edge was not satisfactory considering the chances the blues generated in the first half and the tie is still delicately poised for the second leg at Anfield next Tuesday.

Mourinho believed that referee Markus Merk failed to spot Alvaro Arbeloa's first-half handball.

"No doubt it's a handball, one hundred percent, I'm not sure it's inside or outside the box...it's a decision against us," said the Portugese.

"The first-half performance was superb and we had five or six great chances to score. The second half was different, Liverpool attacked more..."

"Overall, one goal more will be more fair."

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez surprisingly selected Bolo Zendenon the left flank and opted for Javier Mascherano instead of Momo Sissoko in the middle of midfield.

As for Chelsea, they gave a start to Joe Cole and he proved an influential figure as the home side dominated the opening half.

Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina was called into action as earlier as the seventh minute, producing a marvelous reaction save to deny Frank Lampard from 10 yards out after the midfielder had run on to Drogba's knock-down.

Chelsea's pressure looked certain to pay off and they eventually took the lead just before the half-hour mark.

Ricardo Carvalho's pass out of defense found Drogba, who turned Daniel Agger before providing a perfect cross for Cole to slide in from close range.

Benitez was quick to introduce Peter Crouch for the ineffective Craig Bellamy in the second half and the giant striker's sheer presence immediately unsettled the Chelsea defense.

Liverpool penned Chelsea back for long periods after the break but were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Instead it was Reina who had to be alert, diving to his left to push away a vicious volley by Lampard 10 minutes from time.

Editor: Donald