Merson: This Is Tottenham's Cup Final

Sky Sports pundit and former Arsenal forward Paul Merson sees tonight's Carling Cup semi-final against the Gunners as actually Tottenham's cup final.

The bitter north London rivals clash over two legs starting at the Emirates tonight, with the prize at stake a place in the Carling Cup final - the first to be staged at Wembley since Leicester beat Tranmere there in 2000.

The semi-final is a repeat of last year's when Arsenal and Spurs - then managed by Martin Jol - went head-to-head, Arsenal coming from two down to draw 2-2 at White Hart Lane, then winning the second leg 3-1 after extra-time to set up a final in Cardiff against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea, who won 2-1.

Now the wily Juande Ramos is in charge of Tottenham, who are looking to end a nine-year trophy drought.

Indeed, Spurs are also seeking their first win against Arsenal for eight years - 20 matches ago in all competitions.

And Merson told Sky Sports News that simply beating Arsenal after so long is the most important objective as far as Tottenham's long-suffering fans are concerned.

"It's massive - just to beat Arsenal," said the man who scored 99 goal for Arsenal in 425 competitive first-team games between 1987 and 1997.

"If they can just beat Arsenal and get in the final I don't think they would really worry about the final!

"That would be massive for them - they need to beat Arsenal sooner rather than later. It's getting a bit of a joke now to be fair.

"It's been a long time and it wasn't always like that years ago, it just shows you how much the pendulum has swung.

"It would mean so much to Spurs. I don't know about to Ramos, but for the Tottenham fans I think they'd rather come fourth bottom (in the Premier League) and beat Arsenal in this!"

Arsene Wenger has made it clear he intends to continue with his policy of playing his younger, less experienced players in the Carling Cup.

Many of them are looking to make amends for last year's final defeat at the hands of Chelsea, a match they dominated for the first hour but couldn't put beyond the Blues.

Players such as Armand Traore, Denilson and Justin Hoyte have earned plaudits for their performances in knockout competitions, but it's also about winning trophies - and the Gunners are seeking their first silverware since lifting the FA Cup in 2005.

Because of that, Merson believes, Wenger's young side are also under pressure to produce the goods.

"They've done outstanding," he said. "But the good teams have to win trophies - it's so important to win trophies.

"That's why I think this game's a massive game for Arsene Wenger, because if he gets a trophy on the board with this young team it teaches them how to win things.

"And then they can move on to bigger and better things."

Last Minute Chelsea See Off Stubborn Everton Chelsea 2-1 Everton

Chelsea controlled proceedings at Stamford Bridge but left it extremely late to beat Everton in this entertaining and action packed encounter.


The Blues were cruising before the break thanks to Wright-Phillips’ sublime strike, but the game swung on a controversial red card for Mikel John Obi early on in the second half.


Yakubu’s equaliser stunned the home side, but just as all looked lost Wright-Phillips pressured Joleon Lescott into a headed own goal.


First Half


With both sides missing key players, Avram Grant raised eyebrows by omitting Ashley Cole from his entire 16.


Florent Malouda, however, returned from injury, slotting straight into left midfield in a diamond 4-4-2 with Obi in the holding role.


Chelsea almost enjoyed the perfect start as Shaun Wright-Phillips capitalised on poor Everton defending but couldn’t direct his volley on target.


The Blues threatened down the flanks repeatedly: Carsley did well to block Joe Cole’s effort after smart work from Pizarro. The game was frantic, with tackles flying thick and fast: nobody could doubt the importance of the occasion to either side.


Belletti’s hurried effort from distance was rifled into the crowd, but in the main neither side created much with their forays into opposition territory until Wright-Phillips’ beautiful strike. Played in by Malouda on the left edge of the box, the England man curled the ball beyond the outstretched Howard and into the bottom right-hand corner. It was a superbly worked move.


Seconds later Cole could have made it 2-0. Played through, he beat the Everton defence for pace before being felled on the edge of the area. To Cole’s credit he persisted with his run rather than sprawling on the floor. Michael Ballack blasted the free-kick marginally wide. Chelsea were positively flying now as Wright-Phillips’ effort went behind for a corner.


Everton mustered precious little, Johnson’s flash header wide offering little cause for celebration as the home side continued to dominate the midfield. Wright-Phillips, Belletti and Pizarro almost pieced together a slick scoring opportunity before half time, but the Blues had to be satisfied with a one-goal advantage.



Second Half


Chelsea exploded out of the blocks again: Rumbling Everton’s offside trap, Wright-Phillips could only launch his shot straight at Howard; Ballack glanced a header wide.


Everton were battling to gain a foothold, but of nothing Mikel John Obi was shown a red card for his challenge on Cahill. His foot was off the ground, but neither very high nor two-footed. Since the Nigerian made no contact with his opponent the dismissal seemed particularly harsh. Avram Grant may be regretting his call – made after Peter Crouch’s tackle on Obi in the Carling Cup quarter final – for referees to clamp down on such challenges.


Substitute Sidwell’s tackle on Carsley minutes later appeared far worse, yet he wasn’t even booked. Chelsea initially appeared unfazed as Pizarro’s shot with the outside of the boot forced Howard to save, but Everton pounced on Hilario’s mistake to draw level. The Portuguese keeper flapped at Cahill’s cross, allowing Yobo to knock the ball across to Yakubu, who lashed it high through a crowded six-yard box and into the net. It was the Toffees’ first shot on target.


Chelsea were now wobbling: Yakubu’s back heel played McFadden through on the left. The Scot danced along the bye line, beat Carvalho and dinked in a ball that clipped the far post. With home fans baying for blood (or an Everton red card), Chelsea asserted their authority on the game once more. A penalty appeal from Belletti for an arm by Lescott was waved away: the Brazilian was booked moments later for lunging at the Toffees man.


Everton, too, had a decent shout for a spot kick as Johnson was floored in the box. Pizarro’s turn-and-volley provoked a scramble ten yards out, while crosses rained down on the penalty area. A draw looked certain, but Everton were finally cracked in the dying seconds as Joleon Lescott headed Ballack’s cross into his own net under pressure from Wright-Phillips.


The goal was harsh on the Toffees’ hard-working back four, but over the 90 minutes Chelsea certainly merited the win.



Line-ups:


Chelsea (4-4-2 diamond): Hilario – Belletti (Ferreira 82), Alex, Carvalho, Bridge – Obi – Wright-Phillips, Malouda (Ben-Haim 90) – Ballack – Pizarro, J Cole (Sidwell 61)


Subs not used – Cudicini, Sahar



Everton (4-4-2): Howard – Hibbert, Yobo, Jagielka, Lescott – Cahill, Neville, Carsley, McFadden – Johnson, Yakubu (Anichebe 89)


Subs not used – Wessels, Gravesen, Vaughan, Nuno Valente



Goals:
1-0 Wright-Phillips, 26 (Malouda)
1-1 Yakubu, 64 (Yobo)
2-1 Lescott, o.g. 90 (Ballack)


Cards:
Yellow: J Cole, Belletti / Hibbert, Neville, Carsley, Johnson
Red: Obi, 54 (serious foul play)



Attendance: 41,178