CARDIFF, 28 February 2005 — Chelsea claimed their first silverware under Jose Mourinho yesterday, beating Liverpool 3-2 after extra time to win a rollercoaster League Cup final.

The Portuguese coach was forced to watch alone inside the stadium after being sent from the dug-out for inciting Liverpool’s fans, but he had the last laugh as goals from Didier Drogba and Mateja Kezman clinched a victory that had looked unlikely for much of the afternoon.

The Premier League leaders were stunned after just 43 seconds when Norwegian John Arne Riise thumped Liverpool ahead from a cross by Fernando Morientes.

Despite overwhelming possession, Chelsea could find no way through a resolute Liverpool defense for the next 78 minutes, but were handed a lifeline from an unlikely source.

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard, who had minutes earlier wasted a glorious chance to put Liverpool 2-0 ahead, rose to defend a harmless-looking Paulo Ferreira free kick only to deflect it past goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.

Both sides had chances to win it late on, Chelsea’s Frank Lampard lashing one shot over the crossbar and Liverpool substitute Milan Baros slicing horribly wide in stoppage time.

Del Piero Double Puts Juventus Clear

In Milan, Alessandro del Piero scored twice as Juventus beat Siena 3-0 to move three points clear at the top of Serie A yesterday.

Juventus have 57 points from 26 games with AC Milan, who face Inter in the Milan derby later, on 54.AS Roma, without the suspended Francesco Totti, slipped to a 2-0 loss at Palermo, and Lazio enjoyed a 2-0 home victory over Parma.

Juve were without Czech midfielder Pavel Nedved, who is still suffering from the head injury he picked up in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat by Real Madrid, but coach Fabio Capello’s decision to play with three strikers paid off.

Capello asked Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Uruguayan Marcelo Zalayeta to lead the line and gave the much-criticized Del Piero a free role.

Del Piero responded by putting Juve ahead in the 35th minute with a delightful back-heel after a low cross from Zalayeta.

Brazilian midfielder Emerson headed in Juve’s second, from a Mauro Camoranesi corner five minutes after the break, before Del Piero wrapped up the win from the penalty spot.

Roma’s disappointing campaign continued on a heavy pitch in Sicily with Luigi Del Neri’s side falling behind to a Franco Brienza goal nine minutes after the break. Palermo were reduced to 10 men in the 73rd minute after midfielder Simone Barone was sent off for a second yellow card and the Sicilians were lucky to maintain their lead when a Daniele Corvia effort five minutes from the end was ruled out.

Francesco Guidolin’s side made sure of the three points in injury time when Luca Toni slotted home after a swift break down the flank from Mario Santana.

In the meeting of two clubs trying to recover from financial troubles, Lazio took the lead against Parma through a 19th- minute penalty by Massimo Oddo. Antonio Filippini’s close-range effort in the final minute of the game secured three points that moved the Rome club up to 12th place.

Sevilla Move Up to Third Despite Being Held by Racing

In Madrid, Sevilla moved up to third spot in the Primera Liga yesterday despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home to Racing Santander.

Strikers Julio Baptista and Dario Silva twice put the Andalucians ahead, but a determined Racing never gave up the chase and grabbed a deserved equalizer six minutes from time when Uruguayan forward Mario Regueiro headed in from a corner.