Grant admires never-say-die Chelsea

LONDON:Avram Grant believes Chelsea's never-say-die spirit will help his side reach a third League Cup final in four seasons.

The London club snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Everton in Tuesday's semifinal first leg at Stamford Bridge despite being down to 10 men for most of the second half.

Shaun Wright-Phillips had given Chelsea the lead but after John Obi Mikel was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Phil Neville, Everton hit back to equalize through Ayegbeni Yakubu.

David Moyes' team piled on the pressure but Chelsea refused to budge and mounted a late assault which culminated in Joleon Lescott's stoppage-time own goal.

It was a defiant display that proved there is no shortage of desire in the Chelsea dressing room.

The League Cup holders will travel to Goodison Park for the second leg on January 23 confident they can avoid defeat and move closer to retaining the trophy.

"With the small squad and all the problems - the injuries and the red card - the players deserve credit for the way they played," Grant said. "They showed spirit and character. I'm proud of them.

"We want everybody with us but we showed what we can do. You need to do that when you miss players. You have to pay attention to the small details.

"It's not easy at Goodison Park but it's not easy against us either. We have the advantage although it does not guarantee anything.

"If we play like this 11 against 11 we have a good chance."

Grant hopes to sign Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka before the return leg.

The Blues had a 10-million-pound bid for the France international turned down last week, but he hinted they are set to go back with an improved offer.

"We have confirmed we have an interest in Anelka. We made a bid two days ago because we wanted him for the Everton match, but I hope it will be for Saturday," Grant said. "If not we will carry on with the players we have.

"We do not plan to stay with one striker. It is important to do it quickly but this is not my area. I am not negotiating with Bolton."

With Frank Lampard, John Terry, Andriy Shevchenko and Petr Cech all injured and Didier Drogba, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Mikel away for a month on African Nations Cup duty, Grant's squad is stretched to the breaking point.

So he will be relieved to see Wright-Phillips impress in a variety of roles in front of new England coach Fabio Capello.

"Shaun is in good form," Grant said. "I think he will be in the next England squad. He started in midfield, then on the right wing and then as a striker. He got used to it very quickly and that showed he is an intelligent player."

Wright-Phillips underlined his England credentials when he collected Florent Malouda's pass and curled a superb shot in off the far post.

Everton boss Moyes was caught between disappointment at a squandered opportunity and admiration for the way his side matched Chelsea in the second half.

"We know we will have the advantage of the crowd behind us, but basically we are still playing a really good team. That's the problem. We will have to play really well to go through," Moyes said.

"I've been waiting for games like this at Goodison since I arrived; a cup semifinal second leg. I'd rather be drawing or winning but we're not out of it yet."

AFP

(China Daily 01/10/2008 page24)