Last night, having given away the lead in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg and John Obi Mikel to a straight red, the locals felt sufficiently aggrieved to sing the name of Jose Mourinho again.

Scorers: Chelsea - Wright-Phillips (26), Lescott (90+2og); Everton - Yakubu (64)

It was Jose Mourinho's first present to the club, a piece of silverware within seven months of his arrival at Chelsea. Last night, having given away the lead in the Carling Cup semi-final first leg and John Obi Mikel to a straight red, the locals felt sufficiently aggrieved to sing the name of their former manager again.

For Avram Grant, charged with leading Chelsea into a new, dynamic era post-Mourinho, it was an uncomfortable reminder of the pressure he is under. For David Moyes and his Everton side, making their first appearance in a semi-final in 13 years, it was music to their ears. Yakubu's equaliser, which cancelled out Shaun Wright-Phillips' opening strike, gives his side a real chance, though a late own goal from Joleon Lescott cost them a draw.

Not many managers would put the League Cup ahead of the FA Cup, but after resting players for the third round of the latter on Saturday - and coming a cropper against Oldham - the Scot removed the covers from his first team last night.

As the performance last night confirmed, Chelsea's injury problems set to be exacerbated by the exodus of the club's African contingent to Ghana, are potentially crippling. Without Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Salomon Kalou and Didier Drogba, Grant's selection had a threadbare look about them, totally at odds with their moneybags reputation.

But needs must and Grant's tactical nous was put to the test. Among the six changes to the side that beat QPR on Saturday, Florent Malouda made his first start in two months, joining Claudio Pizarro in attack. For Wright-Phillips there was an unfamiliar role in the centre of midfield.

Ineffectual on the flanks three days before, the minuscule winger grew in stature with every positive contribution to Chelsea's attacking cause.

Any fears for his safety after Andy Johnson's crude challenge in the 10th minute were dispelled in an instant. One beautifully struck shot, curled round Tim Howard. Instant respect.

In the stands, Fabio Capello and his Italian entourage sat up and took note. England's new coaching outfit will surely have been impressed by the way in which Wright-Phillips delighted.

Fluid, fast moving and un-expectedly comfortable in their new guise, Grant's side took Everton completely unawares. Joseph Yobo and Phil Jagielka, were anticipating a quiet evening without Drogba breathing down their necks, they were sorely mistaken. Juliano Belletti's shot careered high and wide but Wright-Phillips was right on target.

Taking control of Malouda's pass in the inside-left channel in the 35th minute, Wright-Phillips showed great composure and no little finesse with his exquisite execution of a strike, that curled first round Yobo and then Tim Howard. Only his second goal of the season, the grin said it all.

For Everton, who began with a flourish, Phil Neville making his presence felt with a succession of bruising interceptions, there was never enough creativity to match their obvious ambition. How they missed the suspended Mikel Arteta, the injured Leon Osman.

Until Mikel's 55th-minute dismissal, that is. On such an incident, the raised boot driven towards the shin of Neville, the game changed, filling the visitors with new resolve.

Within nine minutes of Chelsea's enforced reshuffle, Everton were back on level footing, Yakubu's half-volley stunning the Bridge.

After almost an hour misplacing passes, Moyes' side found their man: James McFadden's free-kick was flapped at by Hilario at the far post and buried by the Nigerian, with a full-blooded swipe of the right boot.

Credit to Chelsea, they impressed with 10 men, and Wright-Phillips rose above Lescott - unforgivably - in the 92nd minute to force the defender into making a mistake, the ball bouncing off his face and into the net.

Chelsea
Hilario, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Obi, Ballack, Malouda (Ben-Haim 90), J Cole (Sidwell 61), Pizarro (Ferreira 83). Subs: Cudicini, Sahar
Sent Off Obi (55)
Booked J Cole, Belletti

Everton
Howard, Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott, Cahill, Neville, Carsley, McFadden, Johnson, Yakubu (Anichebe 89). Subs: Wessels, Gravesen, Vaughan, Nuno Valente
Booked Carsley, Hibbert, Neville, Johnson

Referee P Walton