Jose Mourinho praises counterpart Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool revival as Chelsea prevail in Capital One Cup semi-final

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Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho was happy with his side's Capital One Cup semi-final win against Liverpool but made sure to praise the Reds, managed by his former protege Brendan Rodgers.

Branislav Ivanovic's goal at the start of extra-time gave Chelsea a 1-0 win on the night, 2-1 on aggregate, but it was a stern test not only for all 120 minutes on Tuesday night, but also in the first leg which finished 1-1. 

'I think in the second half we were better than them and also in extra-time but I want to be honest, fair with them,' Mourinho said.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho (left) has praised Liverpool counterpart Brendan Rodgers 

Branislav Ivanovic (centre) rises highest to head home the only goal of the game for Chelsea against Liverpool

The defender (centre) was unmarked from the free-kick and Simon Mignolet had no chance to save it

Ivanovic's (left) effort settled the second leg at Stamford Bridge and sees Chelsea advance to the final

'I want to say they were there, a very good team, it's great work by Brendan changing the shape and the mode of play because the way they started the season they were not going in the right direction.

'But he was intelligent enough to change, to create a new team, because this is a new Liverpool and they were a very difficult opponent and I'm even happier because we beat a very good team over two legs.'

Tempers threatened to boil over more than once on the night, with Chelsea striker Diego Costa appearing to stamp on Emre Can before being denied a penalty of his own - just two of several incidents.

Mourinho added of the penalty claim: 'If I speak, people will say it's Mourinho again. If I speak the FA will try to punish me as they always do so I think it is better for you to do it, but it's so clear, so clear, and that is difficult to accept, even winning the game, so I have to ask myself why.'

Diego Costa appeared to stamp on Martin Skrtel after skipping over a challenge in the second half

Costa and Skrtel square up after the incident, for which the striker avoided a card

Matchwinner Ivanovic also hailed the Blues' character after they overcame Liverpool to reach the final of the Capital One Cup. test not only for all 120 minutes on Tuesday night, but also in the first leg which finished 1-1.

'It was a very, very difficult game and we are very happy we are going to Wembley,' Ivanovic said on Sky Sports 1.

'We are waiting for tomorrow's [Wednesday's] game (the other semi-final between Tottenham and Sheffield United) but this is a game where we showed the real character of the team and we are happy, very happy.'

Ivanovic headed home from a free-kick in the 94th minute, having escaped the attentions of Mario Balotelli.

'It was very difficult,' he added. 'I'm happy about my goal but this game was an example of how the team has to play and how the team wins the game.'

Chelsea are on their way to Wembley - as Eden Hazard, Oscar and Branislav Ivanovic hold a flag after game