BlueLion.

Chelsea FC 2 - 1 Everton Wednesday 9 January 2008, 19:45 KO, League Cup, Semi-Final First Leg, Stamford Bridge Joleon Lescott scored in his own net with seconds remaining to give 10-man Chelsea an aggregate lead in their Carling Cup semi-final. The defender headed past goalkeeper Tim Howard in stoppage time under pressure from Shaun Wright-Phillips who had earlier put the home side 1-0 up before John Obi Mikel received his marching orders for a two-footed challenge. Yakubu equalised from close range for Everton after a mistake by goalkeeper Henrique Hilario, but the Portuguese shot stopper made amends with a wonderful save at the feet of Lescott on 90 minutes. However, Wright-Phillips proved the catalyst in Everton's downfall as he pressured Lescott into heading the ball into his own goal from Michael Ballack's intelligent cross. Everton had hit the post with the two teams locked at 1-1 through McFadden but Chelsea looked the more likely of the two teams to snatch the win, despite having inferior numbers on the pitch. The spirit and 'never-say-die' attitude of the Chelsea players means they head to Goodison Park with an aggregate lead in the Carling Cup semi-final as the Blues look to feature in their third Carling Cup final in four seasons. The first half of this match was much more open than many predicted as both sides knew the advantages of a first-leg lead. Chances were plenty at both ends of the field but it was Chelsea who were the sooner to expose gaps in the opposition defence. Their patient build-up play resulted in the break-through with twenty-five minutes played as Malouda played in Wright-Phillips. Receiving the ball from the impressive Wayne Bridge, the Frenchman split the Everton defence in two before the England winger turned and curled in a beautiful shot past former Manchester United goalkeeper Tim Howard. They could have extended their lead further when Joe Cole burst through into the box after Jagielka had fouled him. His shot was smothered by the approaching Howard but referee Peter Walton decided to bring play back after offering the advantage to Chelsea. Ballack, Chelsea's stand-in captain, took the free-kick and watched as it bent agonisingly wide of the far stick with Howard scrambling. Chelsea were looking to have the game wrapped up in the first-half, and began the second half as they first forty-five minutes had ended - in control and looking threatening. Wright-Phillips shot wide moments later before a crucial decision by referee Walton. Jon Obi Mikel appeared to challenge Lee Carsley with two feet was duly sent off. Replays indicate the decision was harsh although gives implications that referees are finally beginning to show some consistency in awarding red card for potentially dangerous challenges. Despite Everton's numerical advantage, Chelsea fashioned more chances before Claudio Pizarro saw his shot from the edge of the area flash wide. But Yakubu equalised for the away team when he hammered home Joseph Yobo's pass into the danger zone. Hilario mis-judged the flight of the ball and looked on helplessly as the ball was rifled into the net. Suddenly Everton were in the ascendancy and Chelsea had had their sails robbed of the wind. But with minutes remaining, Lescott headed home after Ballack had put the ball back in the area when he was caught stationary by Shaun Wright-Phillips, giving Chelsea a precious aggregate lead after Hilario had saved well at the feet of Lescott after the England defender had knocked the ball forward and prepared to pull the trigger. ______________________________________ Match Fact : Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet in their last seven matches against Everton. Chelsea: Hilario (6), Belletti (6), Alex (6), Carvalho (6), Bridge (8), Wright-Phillips (8), Mikel (5), Ballack (7), Malouda (5) (Ben-Haim (6)), Joe Cole (7) (Sidwell (6)), Pizarro (4) (Ferreira (6)). Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sahar. Sent Off: Mikel (55). Booked: Joe Cole, Belletti. Goals: Wright-Phillips 26, Lescott 90 og. Everton: Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Cahill, Neville, Carsley, McFadden, Johnson, Yakubu (Anichebe 89). Subs Not Used: Wessels, Gravesen, Vaughan, Nuno Valente. Booked: Carsley, Hibbert, Neville, Johnson. Goals: Yakubu 64. Attendance: 41,178 Referee: Peter Walton Man of the Match : Shaun Wright-Phillips

Birmingham City versus Chelsea F.C. Chelsea F.C. travel to Birmingham City to continue their quest for a third Premier League title in four seasons. Florent Malouda scored his first Chelsea league goal against Birmingham in August. The last time these two teams met in the Premier League, Chelsea triumphed 3-2 thanks to Michael Essien's long-ranged winning goal. With both teams now under now management, a similar scoreline would be much welcomed by the neutral - although both managers would prefer a clean sheet with the two sides having kept just one clean sheet between them in their last four matches. Match Chat here!

A scary thought: the tactical knowledge of Mourinho verus... erm, Grant.... scary indeed. Even scarier - Grant winning

The competition Shevchenko brought made him the player he is now. Anelka will push him further. Bring it on.

As far as I know they are contracted with Carlsberg until 2013 so that seems unlikely.

Refs are wankers, case settled

Looks very retro. Hence the reason that if that is our new kit, I'll be chopping those collars off.

He fit in brilliantly yesterday against an improving Spurs defence. Considering the only training he had done with the club was in the warm-up, he seemed to do a brilliant job. Could have got two goals if the goalkeeper and the crossbar had been a little more friendly.

I think it would do the world of good for the player if he gets a fair amount of football in the tournament, but I'd prefer him back as soon as possible. Same goes for Essien.

I much prefer Kitson

Brilliant team performance yesterday. Whilst in my eyes there were three stand-out performers, everyone had a solid game. Ballack was quiet but it appeared to me that he was playing in a more withdrawn role than he has been playing, with Wright-Phillips playing further up. Still had a solid defensive game. Malouda still looks a little rusty but he was very inventive, same for Joe Cole. Belletti was my man of the match. Scored a rocket, was creative going forward and sound at the back. Ashley Cole was pretty impressive and I was so impressed with Anelka. The man hadn't kicked a ball in a blue shirt before but he looked totally at home. Desperately unlucky not to score.

Anelka on

FUCKING HELL! If that was us, we'd have had someone sent off! Bastards

As do I. Pizarro has been... awful...

I'll be updating the table for today's game and the Everton match later this evening.

Apparently. Good work by Malouda, but I think Ballack was off.

Kevin Doyle admits he wants to leave Reading if one the Premier League's top four clubs show an interest in signing him. The striker has been linked with a move to Chelsea as manager Avram Grant attempts to add further firepower to his squad following the £15million signing of Nicolas Anelka. Reading manager Steve Coppell has stated that he will not allow any of his players to leave the Madejski in the transfer window. However, Doyle has called on the Royals boss to allow him to leave if a top club comes calling so that he can further his career. Speculation "It's just speculation with me and Chelsea at the moment but it's good for the ego," Doyle told the Daily Star. "If one of the top four want to sign me I would want to go for it. "When I left Cork City to come to Reading people said I would never play but if you listen to comments like that you never progress. "You don't just want to sit there on the bench but you have to give it a go and then a year down the line you may go back. "But you have to take the opportunity if it comes, otherwise you will never know how far you can go." From SSN

Hope to see Anelka soon. Pizarro is running around like a headless chicken. I feel sorry for him because he is trying, it reminds me of Shevchenko this time last campaign.

Cech's save was more comfortable than he made it look Glad to see him looking more confident.

Arsenal 1-0 Birmingham Aston Villa 1-0 Reading Chelsea 1-0 Tottenham Derby 0-0 Wigan Everton 0-0 Man City Middlesbrough 1-0 Liverpool West Ham 1-1 Fulham Shaun with a good challenge. Good play by Ballack.

Mate, use the edit button Deserved yellow card.

I spoke too soon, they are showing Aston Villa Belletti scores... I was just about to say he was playing well

Some American footie channel we have.

I'm watching it on the tv. I'll let you know of any major incidents.