Wright-Phillips the little-big man as Chelsea steal it
Chelsea take a narrow lead to Goodison, from what was a great Carling Cup semi-final first leg at Stamford Bridge. Sean Wright-Phillips got one goal and had a contraversial role in the second. The first was a superb curling finish and the second a controversial leap via Lescott's shoulders as Lescott put past his keeper, to steal the win for 10 man Chelsea.
Chelsea put Wright-Phillips up front in the absence of Drogba and Kalou (at the African Nations Cup), an injured Andriy Shevchenko and after the substitution of Pizarro. The smallest man on the pitch them promptly put in a very big performance which will have surely impressed new England manager Fabio Capello.
Yakubu Ayegbeni equalised with a stunning shot and with John Obi Mikel having been sent off Chelsea were reeling, but in injury time the Wright-Phillips leap landed a sucker punch. Everton maintain he used Lescott to gain height and the own goal should have been disallowed and to be fair they had a point.
All in all, a draw would probably have been a fairer result, given Evertons spirited performance. Moyes afterwards was understandably annoyed the second Chelsea goal stood, but commended his players for ensuring the tie is still very much alive for the second leg at Goodison Park. You get the feeling though that the narrow win will make all the difference - its Everton now who have to come out and attack, not Chelsea.
Footy Focus prediction - Chelsea to advance to the final and break Everton hearts.
Finally it seems Anelka will be a Chelsea player in a matter of hours. The Times is reporting a final 13 million pound bid from Chelsea will seal the deal with Bolton, which seems good business by Chelsea given the immediate absence of Kalou and Drogba and Drogba's stated intent to move on in the summer.
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