Ballack strike sees Blues pip Blackburn

Jose Mourinho's side set up the first match in a potential triple-header against Manchester United thanks to a winning goal from Germany international Michael Ballack.

Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a first-half lead but an equaliser from Jason Roberts sent the game into extra-time where Ballack pounced to settle an thrilling semi-final in the 108th minute.

Old Trafford was sweltering from the rays of an unforgiving sun as the game began and it was Blackburn who found themselves feeling the heat when Chelsea almost undid them with their first real attack in the 11th minute.

Brad Friedel was forced to make the first save of the afternoon when Chelsea left-back Ashley Cole stung his hands with a left-foot shot. But the portents were not heeded by the Blackburn defence and Chelsea were in front in the 16th minute through the irrepressible Lampard.

The England midfielder scored his 21st goal of the season - his highest-ever tally - after the Blues had sliced open Blackburn's defence with consummate ease.

Ballack collected Drogba's knockdown and slipped the ball into the path of the advancing Lampard who cleverly side-stepped Ryan Nelsen's challenge before placing the ball beyond Friedel and into the corner.

Chelsea should have put the game beyond their opponents within a minute of the restart when Lampard put Drogba in the clear. But instead of trying to add to his 30-goal tally this season, the Ivorian crossed to the waiting Shevchenko who completely missed his kick.

Rovers rocked Chelsea when Roberts flicked home Pedersen's free-kick to equalise. Pedersen then wasted a glorious chance to seal a sensational win for Rovers in the 82nd minute when he rose unmarked at the far post only to head wide of the target.

Both teams succumbed to the combination of heat and fatigue in the extra half-hour but Ballack kept Chelsea on course for history when he swept home eight yards after Salomon Kalou's effort had been blocked.