An injury-time own goal from Liverpool defender John Arne Riise cancelled out Dirk Kuyt's 42nd-minute opener and last night's 1-1 draw gives Avram Grant's side a slender advantage going into the return leg at Stamford Bridge next week.

Cech, still playing with a chin strap to protect scar tissue following the removal of 50 stitches in a facial wound, twice denied Fernando Torres as well as Steven Gerrard to ensure Chelsea's Moscow dreams remain very much alive.

Now the Czech Republic international believes that Chelsea will win the competition on May 21 in Russia.

"I am positive if we will go through, we will win it," said Cech. "We found ourselves 1-0 down which is something we didn't want to do. But then we put a great effort into the game and we were a bit lucky with our goal.

"But for the character and the effort we showed, we deserved it. We are only at half-time but we need to make sure the goal is crucial. Now we have the advantage of playing at home and I hope we can use it.

"We were disappointed with their goal because it was a quick free-kick and we should have done better than to allow them to play it so quickly.

"We were well organised and when we conceded the goal we wanted to make sure it was the only one.

"We started to push forward and search for the equaliser. Every save is important in the semi-final. You need to be at top form and play at the top level to go through.

"We know we can play a little bit better but overall we were happy with what we did today but the equaliser changed everything."

Chelsea lost their first Champions League semi-final at Anfield in 2005 thanks to Luis Garcia's 'phantom goal', while last year the Blues were beaten in a penalty shoot-out.

Cech believes they were due a slice of good luck for a change and that was duly delivered by the hapless Riise who headed Salomon Kalou's cross into his own net.

"Away goals can be crucial," said Cech. "We have been unlucky at Anfield twice but this time we got a little bit of luck.

"I was positive we would get something from the game. We were strong in our minds and kept going until the last seconds. We got a lucky goal but we were really searching for it.

"To get a bit of luck you have to deserve it. We came with a positive mood and started the game well. The last two occasions we were unlucky and didn't take our chances. But we had some luck this time."

Cech urged his team-mates to produce another big performance against Manchester United on Saturday.

Victory over Sir Alex Ferguson's side will put them level on points with United and keep the title race bubbling.

United play Barcelona in the other Champions League semi-final tonight and although Chelsea will have the advantage of an extra day's rest ahead of Saturday's game, Cech does not believe it will make much difference.

"Another top performance will be needed against Manchester United," said Cech. "If we win the game it will keep the pressure on.

"We had to play Monday and Thursday last week against Wigan and Everton, and this time we have one extra day which is good but I don't think 24 hours is such a big difference."