A last-minute own goal by Joleon Lescott gave holders Chelsea a 2-1 win against Everton in the first leg of their League Cup semifinals on Tuesday.

 

 

Chelsea's Shaun Wright-Phillips (C) celebrates after scoring against Everton during their English League Cup semifinal, first leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London January 8, 2008.

 

Wright-Phillips gave Chelsea the lead in the 26th in a match where the hosts played most of the second half a man down after John Obi Mikel was sent off.

 

Everton equalized through Aiyegbeni Yakubu before Lescott headed into his own net in the second minute of injury time.

 

The second leg at Everton is on January 23. North London rivals Arsenal and Tottenham play the first leg of the other semifinal on Wednesday, with the final at Wembley on February 24.

 

 

Referee Peter Walton (R) sends off Chelsea's John Obi Mikel (bottom) as Everton's Tim Cahill (C) looks on during their English League Cup semi-final, first leg soccer match at Stamford Bridge in London January 8, 2008.

 

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2008)