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THREE Premiership sides have made it through to the semi-finals of the Champions League for the second successive season and only Catalan giants Barcelona stand in the way of success in the richest club competition in the world.
One English club was always guaranteed a place thanks to the Liverpool and Arsenal clash and considering Chelsea and Manchester United were playing lesser opposition there was always a good chance they would get through. However, slip-ups against lesser sides have happened in the past such as against Porto in United's case or Monaco in Chelsea's.
The style of play has often been blamed on the failure of some Premiership sides in European competition because they come across a slower and more possession-based approach to playing the game which our teams have been unable to adapt to. Liverpool's extraordinary win in the final against Milan three years ago and Arsenal's unlucky loss to Barcelona a year later were the first signs that the English approach was beginning to find its feet.
Of course, the foreign influence has helped, leading to an increase in technical ability on the pitch, but it is the fact that it is done at such a Premiership pace that is beginning to make the real difference. Teams such as AC Milan and Juventus are finding it very hard to adjust to us and are being overrun both at home and away games. The balance has definitely shifted as the representation of English clubs in the later stages has demonstrated.
Liverpool boast the best European pedigree and it is the 'Anfield factor' that often proves decisive in determining the outcome of a tight game and so it proved again against Arsenal. The London side started off brilliantly after the 1-1 draw at the Emirates and fully deserved to open the scoring. However, a serious defensive lapse by Senderos allowed Sami Hyypia to level the score and change the momentum of the game.
The second half started off slowly but then burst into life when Torres stunned the Gunners with a right-footed thunderbolt. Wenger soon introduced Theo Walcott and a mesmerising run seeing him beat half the Liverpool side resulted in Dayboy slotting in to equalise and go ahead on the away goal rule.
But no sooner had Liverpool kicked off they were awarded a soft penalty for a push on Babel - even more upsetting for Arsenal given the blatant spot kick overlooked in the first leg. Gerrard made no mistake and a late goal as Arsenal pushed forward presented a lopsided 4-2 scoreline for Liverpool.
Meanwhile, Manchester United were comfortably seeing off Roma 1-0 after a 2-0 away win in Rome and whilst it was not the emphatic 7-1 scoreline of last year it was still very impressive - given Rooney and Ronaldo were left on the bench.
Chelsea struggled a little more but came through against Fenebache with goals from Ballack and Lampard late on. Doubts still remain about Avram Grant though as the Turkish side did have their chances in a tie that should have been straightforward was one, given a few breaks here and there, could have ended up in an embarrassing exit.
They will now face Liverpool for the third time in four years having lost on both the previous occasions. What is more worrying for the neutral fan though is the games between the two teams have been dire affairs with little action and few goals. Hopefully this time it will be different but the way both managers set their teams up for games like this it is doubtful we will be treated to such action as was seen at Anfield last week.
This is direct comparison with the other tie where the two sides who play the most attractive and exciting football in Europe, namely Manchester United and Barcelona, clash. On show will be Rooney, Ronaldo, Giggs, Henry, Messi, E'to and Ronaldinho to name just a few and if half of these players are on top form then it will be a match to savour.
The Spanish side though are struggling in La Liga to reach the highest peaks each week whilst United are playing outstanding football so will be slight favourites coming into this game. The one thing going against them is their track record in such big games.
They were outplayed by Milan last year when they were expected to win and Ferguson has found his tactical acumen wanting sometimes for these high pressure matches. If he fails to win the Champions League for the second time this year with the squad he currently has then questions will have to be asked if he ever will.
Whilst his domestic record is comparable with the best, one final appearance in over 20 years is dismal given the level of resources he has had at his disposal.
He is fortunate that he is not in charge of a foreign club as this record would be considered unacceptable and he would never have stayed in the post as long as he has - he might even be considered a failure! Ferguson knows this and he will be desperate to put it right and these two games might well define his legacy.
The form book says that Liverpool and United will go through to play in Moscow ... but don't be surprised if it is Chelsea and Barcelona who are renewing their rivalry in May.
