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Carling Cup

Chelsea gain the edge

AFP, London
Joleon Lescott's stoppage time own goal gave 10-man Chelsea a dramatic 2-1 win against Everton in the League Cup semifinal first leg at Stamford Bridge here Tuesday.
Shaun Wright-Phillips put Chelsea ahead early but John Obi Mikel was sent-off for an ugly studs-up challenge on Phil Neville and Ayegbeni Yakubu took advantage with a superb equaliser.
Avram Grant's side refused to surrender though and Lescott, under pressure from Wright-Phillips, put into his own net to leave the holders well-placed to reach the final again in the second leg at Goodison Park on January 23.
It was an amazing finish to a fiercely-fought tie that got increasingly spiteful in the closing stages, with Steve Sidwell lucky not to suffer the same fate as Mikel for a stamp on Lee Carsley.
Grant was unhappy with Mikel's dismissal and said: "If it is a red card then two or three players who got yellow cards deserved reds as
"We deserved to win.We created a lot of chances even after the red card. We showed good spirit even after all the problems."
Everton boss David Moyes added: "We think we've missed an opportunity to come away with a win. We just thought Wright- Phillips might have held Lescott down for the goal. His arm is definitely on his shoulder.
"At 1 -11 thought we could get on top, but Chelsea just keep going. They are relentless. The tie's still alive but obviously Chelsea will be favourites now."
African Nations Cup commitments deprived hosts Chelsea of Didier Drogba, Michael Essien and Salomon Kalou, but Florent Malouda was back ahead of schedule after a knee injury.
Chelsea, who have won the League Cup twice in the last three seasons, were in familiar terrority and it showed in the early stages.
Wright-Phillips had the first sight of goal but scuffed his shot wide, then Juliano Belletti drove a fierce long range effort over the bar.
Everton's first League Cup semifinal appearance for twenty years had been in manager David Moyes's mind when he rested key players for Saturday's FA Cup defeat against Oldham.
There was plenty of endeavour from Moyes's men in the first half but, with Mikel Arteta suspended, precious few moments of quality.
Mikel and Michael Ballack's relendess pressing helped Chelsea take control and it was no surprise when they took the lead in the 26th minute.
Malouda picked out Wright-Phillips just inside the penalty area and, as Everton's defence backed-off, the England international took a touch before curling a sublime
strike in off the far post.
England coach Fabio Capello watching from the stands would have been suitably impressed.
When Wright-Phillips tested Everton keeper Tim Howard early in the second-half with a stinging drive, it looked like the Blues would stay on top.
But Everton were handed a lifeline in the 54 th minute when Nigeria's Mikel was sent off for a crude lunge on Neville.
Chelsea could have killed the tie when Claudio Pizarro went through but he shot straight at Howard.
Grant's side were made to pay in the 64th minute. James McFadden's free-kick was turned back into the area and Yakubu pounced, unleashing a superb strike into the top comer.
Chelsea were in disarray and McFadden went close to putting the visitors in front as he skipped past Ricardo Carvalho and hit the post with a low drive.
But Chelsea refused to buckle and snatched a winner in stoppage time.
Ballack hooked a hopeful cross to the far post, where Lescott was guilty of a woeful piece of defending.
He towered over Wright-Phillips but somehow let the tiny winger pressure him into heading past Howard from close range.
Even then the drama wasn't over and Hilario had to save bravely at Lescott's feet to preserve Chelsea's lead.