Everybody Must Respect Us, Says Grant

Avram Grant last night demanded that Chelsea should be given more "respect" after the Israeli led his side to a place in next month's Carling Cup final. Leading 2-1 from the first leg at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea overcame the absence of eight first-team players to prevail against a spirited Everton side and secure a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, victors over Arsenal on Tuesday night, four weeks on Sunday. Grant described Chelsea's recent achievements as "amazing" and hinted that there should be more recognition.

"I think everybody needs to respect what Chelsea are doing in the last month with all the problems," said the Chelsea manager, whose side, missing Michael Ballack with a calf problem, prevailed at Goodison Park after Joe Cole's fine second-half goal. "We have won a lot of games, not only in the league, in the Champions League also and now we are in the Carling Cup final, and we have done it in a good way. It's not easy so I am happy," the manager added.

Grant praised the Chelsea players for "their fight" and singled our Petr Cech, whose wife gave birth to their first child earlier in the day, for special praise. The Czech international has come under the spotlight in recent weeks after making several uncharacteristic mistakes but he was excellent last night as he made fine saves to deny Andy Johnson, Joleon Lescott and Phil Jagielka. "He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world," added Grant.

The Chelsea manager claimed that progress on four fronts - his side are now only four points adrift of Manchester United and Arsenal in the Premier League, have reached the knock-out stages of the Champions League, remain in the FA Cup and will feature in their third League Cup final in four years - vindicated his decision not to bring in "five or six new players" during the transfer window and confirmed his "trust" in the squad.

For David Moyes, the Everton manager, there was only frustration. "There was a lot of good things tonight but, in the main, we're disappointed we've lost a semi-final in the cup," said Moyes.

"I think the players played well in periods of the game and it was a brilliant effort by them but we need to find that bit which gets you into cup finals or gets you into the top four. We need to find that special ingredient and by the end of the season we will find out if we have it."

Moyes admitted that the night could have been different had Everton displayed a more ruthless streak in front of goal. "We had two or three opportunities and in semi-finals when things break you have to take your chances and we didn't take those," he conceded.

"But the players tried everything they possibly could to win the game. I think we have got the bit between our teeth that we want to do well in the Uefa Cup now and we've got a lot to be pleased about how we are doing in the league."