Tim Hobbs reporting

Robbie Fowler was the toast of Anfield again with the extra-time winner against Chelsea.

The Liverpool skipper ended his 10-month goal drought with a typical left-foot strike to settle a match that did not really deliver until extra-time.

After Gianfranco Zola had cancelled out Danny Murphy's opener these two Premiership heavyweights slugged it out, but rarely looked like landing the knockout blow.

Indeed it was Fowler who came closest when he hit the post on 76 minutes before the game exploded into life in the extra half-an-hour.

Much of that was to do with the man they call Bruno. Emile Heskey certainly livened up Liverpool - and proceedings - as a substitute, but ended the night in shame as he was sent off seconds from the end.

His first impact was on Mariot Melchiot's knee with an atrocious challenge that could have been a sending off on its own.

But the in-form striker then clashed with Winston Bogarde two minutes from end and was shown a second yellow and then red card by Rob Harris before storming off to remonstrate with the fourth official.

It at least gave neutral observers a spectacular finish to a game that had never lived up to it's billing as the clash of the round.

Both sides enjoyed plenty of possession, but lacked penetration in a tame 90 minutes that saw chances few and far between.

But the very first opening of the night promised a pulsating clash as Liverpool stormed into a 12th-minute lead.

Dietmar Hamann's quick-thinking released Murphy on the left corner of the box and as Fowler and co waited for the ball to be centred, the midfielder simply dragged a precise left-foot finish across Ed de Goey and inside the far post.

The lead didn't last long though and in much the same manner, Chelsea scored with their first real moment of quality.

A slick build up down the left released Celestine Babayaro and as everyone drifted towards the near post, he coolly picked out the unmarked Zola at the back post for the tiny Italian's second header in as many games.

At the other end of the pitch, Fowler was having a fruitless night. Gerard Houllier had backed him to bag a goal and end a goal-drought that stretched way back to December 28, 1999.

He had already failed to turn in a Vladmir Smicer cross from less than three yards and seen a much sweeter cross-shot shave the far post.

But his night would get better and once Heskey was on to ruffle the rock-like Marcel Desailly, the Liverpool skipper started to find his range.

He thought he had edged the Reds back in front 14 minutes from time when he swivelled onto a Murphy pass only to see it come back off the foot of the post.

It meant extra-time, but with Dennis Wise and Hamann adding the spice in central midfield and the forever-gesticulating Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Heskey hurrying both defences, the game finally sparked into life.

Fowler's moment finally arrived on 104 minutes as he drifted away from his marker, picked up a precise Patrik Berger pass and slotted a left-foot finish inside de Goey's post from some 16 yards.

You could sense the relief oozing out of the England man as he ran to celebrate with his manager, but Heskey on the other hand, had plenty of pent up pressure still to release.

Chelsea, who saw Hasselbaink fall short with a lob over the stranded Pegguy Arphexad, were beaten when the big striker needlessly tussled with Winston Bogarde while waiting for a throw-in.

Bogarde appeared to thrust an elbow towards the Liverpool man, who responded by kicking out and on the advice of the linesman was sent packing.

He was 'chased' some of the way by Desailly, he argued with the fourth official and left a scuffle behind as he soured a sweet night at Anfield.

But for every villain their must be a hero. Emile Heskey sit down. Robbie Fowler take a bow.

Liverpool: Arphexad, Henchoz, Smicer (Heskey 73), Fowler, Hyypia, Murphy, Berger, Hamann, Barmby (McAllister 94), Carragher, Traore (Ziege 85).
Subs Not Used: Westerveld, Song.
Sent Off: Heskey (120).
Booked: Traore, Murphy, Heskey, Hamann.
Goals: Murphy 11, Fowler 104.
Chelsea: de Goey, Babayaro (Gudjohnsen 65), Desailly, Bogarde, Hasselbaink, Jokanovic, Wise, Melchiot, Flo (Poyet 81), Zola, Terry (Morris 87).
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Dalla Bona.
Booked: Jokanovic.
Goals: Zola 29.

Att: 29,370
Ref: R Harris (Oxford)