LONDON, Jan 9: Shaun Wright-Phillips was the hero as holders Chelsea overcame the dismissal of John Obi Mikel to snatch an injury-time winner and a 2-1 victory over Everton in their League Cup semi-final first leg on Tuesday.

The Londoners led with a first-half goal by Wright-Phillips but Mikel was sent off in the 55th minute and nine minutes later Aiyegbeni Yakubu equalised to keep alive Everton’s hopes of reaching the final for the first time in 24 years.

Wright-Phillips then pressurised defender Joleon Lescott into heading into his own goal two minutes into the injury time.

Chelsea, without a host of leading players through injury, suspension and international duty, looked sharper and had far more attacking intent from the start.

They went ahead when Wright-Phillips was found by France winger Florent Malouda, back after a two-month injury absence, and the England international curled a delightful right-footed shot in off the post.

The game swung their way though when Mikel was shown a red card for a high tackle on Phil Neville.

The visitors equalised when third-choice keeper Hilario flapped at a James McFadden free kick and Yakubu lashed the ball into the net.

McFadden then clipped the post from a tight angle after a mazy dribble before Chelsea captain Michael Ballack swung in a deep cross for the diminutive Wright-Phillips to nod the ball in off his England team mate Lescott in injury time.—Reuters