Chelsea 2 Everton 1:  The fighting spirit that has galvanised Chelsea's season was prevalent again as Avram Grant's side earned a slender first-leg advantage in their Carling Cup semi-final against Everton.

Shaun Wright-Phillips was key to the win, scoring the first and putting Joleon Lescott under pressure to force the decisive own goal in added time.

It was a win the Blues had carved out of adversity after Mikel John Obi had been controversially sent off in the 55th minute.

Ayegbeni Yakubu grabbed a 64th-minute equaliser but there was late drama to come as Wright-Phillips outjumped Lescott, who inadvertently nodded in Michael Ballack's cross.

Mikel was instantly given his marching orders for a one-footed lunge at Everton captain Phil Neville.

Ironically, like Everton goalscorer Yakubu and defender Joseph Yobo, Mikel had been allowed to play in the game by the Nigerian federation before leaving for the African Nations Cup.

Mikel's dismissal left Chelsea to face the last 35 minutes of a pulsating cup-tie that sprang into life after his departure.

The first half, while dominated by Chelsea, produced few moments of note although it would have got off to a better start had Blues right-back Juliano Belletti managed to get his 20-yard drive on target.

Chelsea, much the better side in the opening exchanges, were finally rewarded for their endeavours with the opening goal in the 26th minute.

A throw-in on the left flank was brought under control by Florent Malouda before he cleverly found the unmarked Wright-Phillips lurking with intent on the edge of the penalty area.

The England winger has often squandered such opportunities this season but this time he sent a curling shot beyond the outstretched Tim Howard and into the net via the far post.

Three minutes later Chelsea almost made it two when Joe Cole's run was halted unfairly on the edge of the penalty area and Ballack's free-kick flew inches wide of the far post with Howard beaten.

Everton had offered little in the opening half but they raised the tempo in the second period even though they could have been two down from the restart.

Wright-Phillips found himself with just Howard to beat on the edge of the penalty area but sent his shot straight at the goalkeeper.

But then came Mikel's indiscretion, though referee Peter Walton's decision looked a harsh one after a lunge at Neville. But it was also the catalyst for the game to turn into a bad-tempered affair, with Walton handing out six yellow cards in the end.

Chelsea could have doubled their advantage again when Wright-Phillips put Claudio Pizarro in the clear but the Peruvian striker could not find a way past Howard.

They paid for it in the 66th minute when Walton awarded Everton a free-kick for handball by Alex.

When James McFadden sent the ball into the box, Chelsea's defence could only half clear their lines and Yakubu lashed his shot into the roof of the net.

The heated exchanges continued when Lescott took umbrage at a rash challenge by Belletti and yet Walton failed to take any action against Neville when he floored Malouda on the edge of the Everton penalty area.

Everton were unlucky not to grab the lead themselves when a great run and cross from McFadden eluded everyone in the six-yard box.

Chelsea, ravaged by injuries and the loss of Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba to the African Nations Cup continued to search for a winner.

The game was marred throughout by blustery conditions and while Chelsea had mastered them better than their opponents, the Blues were thwarted by a determined rearguard action from the Merseysiders.

The last four minutes of added time brought with it a sense of anticipation and yet the Chelsea faithful were rewarded with a goal out of nothing.

There appeared to be little danger when Ballack's hopeful overhead kick pitted the diminutive Wright-Phillips against England defender Lescott.

But the Chelsea winger outjumped Lescott, and the defender was pressured into heading the ball beyond Howard to secure Chelsea's well-earned victory.  PA