Chelsea manager Avram Grant said he views the 2-0 result over Fenerbahce and consequent place in the Champions League semi-finals as more important than their performance.

The cautious Israeli coach would not be drawn over prospects for his side's third semi-final clash with Liverpool in four years, however, saying only that he was optimistic by nature.

Chelsea went through 3-2 on aggregate with goals from Michael Ballack within four minutes and Frank Lampard at the death after losing 2-1 in Istanbul a week ago.

"I feel good because our target was to be in the semi-final," he said. "It was not easy.

"We started well but then it was a nervous game... the most important thing was the result."

Chelsea looked jittery and lacking in cohesion for most of the game and Fenerbahce put them under pressure until Lampard's 87th minute goal sealed the win.

Avoiding questions about Liverpool - who have beaten Chelsea in both their Champions League semi-final matches, including last season on penalties - Grant said: "We will do our best. When the game comes we will speak about it.

"I am an optimist by nature. When I took over the team I believed we could do good things.

"Now we are close, of course I believe."

Chelsea are likely to be without their top two goalkeepers for the Liverpool tie after Carlo Cudicini pulled a hamstring during the first half and was substituted by third-string keeper Hilario.

"It does not look good for Carlo. We'll have to wait and see," Grant said of the situation.

First-choice 'keeper Petr Cech, who has been out for a month with an ankle injury, clashed heads during training this week and suffered a serious facial wound that needed stitches and plastic surgery. It was not clear when he might return.

Fenerbahce coach Zico said his side, the first from Turkey to reach the Champions League quarter-finals, were bitterly disappointed but they had learned a lot from great teams after going so far in the competition.

"The players did their utmost but we were not lucky. We created chances but could not turn them into goals," the former Brazil international said.

"When you concede in the first five minutes with a free header from an unnecessary foul... of course you have to chase the game from then on.

"But it has been a great experience, playing great teams and our motivation is to get better and to contest the Champions League again next season."

Reuters