Champions League: Even epics in progress require fresh ingredients and this brilliant, boisterous theatre had two characters who for differing reasons missed the uproarious evening of May 3rd.

Liverpool's Xabi Alonso was suspended, having collected a dubious yellow card in the first leg - Igor Biscan played; Michael Essien was a Lyon footballer, Tiago was in Chelsea's midfield. Last night Alonso and Essien lined up in direct opposition and both could depart satisfied that they had brought something new to the drama.

This was the sixth meeting of the clubs in just over a season but it was Essien's first taste of a fixture that now has the feel of a new derby. New instalments await so this was a chance for Essien, in particular, to get acclimatised. Chelsea's £24.4 million Ghanaian bullock of a player said he had not watched May's occasion, he had "just" seen the goal. But Essien added that he thought the atmosphere was "hot - I enjoy hot".

He will have relished this then. It took Essien less than five minutes to introduce himself when, though withdrawing from a challenge with May's goalscorer, Luis Garcia, Essien still managed to come away with the ball. It is a good trick.

Essien has others. "My role at Chelsea is the same as my role at Lyon," he said this week. "You won't see a different Michael Essien, I've got a bit of Claude (Makelele) and a bit of (Frank) Lampard in my style of play. I try to combine both but I mustn't be too 'Lamps' or too 'Maka' - just between the two."

Two minutes after the Garcia repossession, there was the first direct contest of the match between the two, Essien and Alonso, when Alonso was sold short by a weak pass from defence and before any Liverpool colleague had the chance to say "Xavi" Essien pounced.

The ball was now in blue possession and realising the danger Alonso instantly tugged at the number five on Essien's back. It was another booking against Chelsea for the Spaniard, and a deserved one.

If that could be called 1-0 to Essien, for the next half hour it was Alonso in the ascendancy. Clipping neat passes short and long, high and low, Alonso was beginning to be as influential a presence on the pitch as anyone.

There was the short free-kick to Steve Finnan that eventually led to Sami Hyypia being clumped by Didier Drogba in the Chelsea area, a worthwhile penalty shout; a great last-ditch tackle followed, plus a superb robbery of Arjen Robben with the Dutchman flying.

Just before the half hour there was even the sight of Jose Mourinho imploring Essien to close down Alonso. The instruction may well have been repeated at the interval because Essien was all over Alonso like the proverbial rash at the start of the second half.

Essien's energy levels are famous already - Claude Makelele referred to him, flatteringly, as a "monster" this week and there were three quick reminders of his appetite when Peter Crouch and Garcia were dispossessed. When Petr Cech then flapped at a corner, it was Essien ensuring that Dietmar Hamann did not profit.

Alonso, meanwhile, continued to probe with a deliberation out of keeping with the frenzy around him. He was now playing with his face to the Kop, Essien with his back to it; it makes a difference. Neither seemed daunted, though: some like it hot, some like it cool. - Guardian Service