A penalty from Eden Hazard has given Chelsea a 1-0 lead after the first half of their League Cup semi-final first leg against Liverpool.

Steven Gerrard almost opened the scoring for the Reds when his powerful effort from range was tipped over the bar by Thibaut Courtois.

However, just moments later Chelsea were awarded a penalty following Emre Can's clumsy foul inside the box on Hazard.

It was Hazard who stepped up to take the spot kick and he made no mistake with a calm finish into the bottom corner.

Liverpool struggled to come up with a response and despite plenty of possession they could not find a way past Chelsea's well-organised defence by the end of the first half.