LIVERPOOL, England (AP) — Joe Cole scored midway through the second half to earn defending champion Chelsea a 1-0 victory over Everton on Wednesday, sending the Blues to the English League Cup final and giving it a chance to claim its third title in four years.

The England midfielder pounced in the 69th minute to ensure a 3-1 aggregate semifinal victory, and a February 24 meeting with three-time winners Tottenham at Wembley.

Wednesday's clash at Goodison Park couldn't match the drama produced by Spurs, who beat Arsenal 5-1 in the other semi-final a day earlier.

The African Cup left Chelsea manager Avram Grant without Salomon Kalou, Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and John Obi Mikel. Injuries ruled out midfielders Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack, while captain John Terry and striker Andriy Shevchenko also didn't make the trip to Liverpool.

Shaun Wright-Phillips started despite an ankle injury from the weekend and was denied a third-minute goal when Joleon Lescott deflected his close range effort wide.

Lescott, whose late own-goal at Stamford Bridge two weeks ago gave Chelsea a 2-1 first-leg win, tried to used his aerial presence to rally Everton. In the ninth minute, he headed Arteta's corner goalward only to be denied by Petr Cech.

The Toffees dictated play early, but couldn't create another threatening move until the 19th minute when Andy Johnson struck wide.

Nicolas Anelka, making his second start with Chelsea since moving from Bolton, struggled to make an impact as he was repeatedly caught offside and his first shot in the 29th didn't trouble Tim Howard.

Determined to snap an 18-match winless streak against Chelsea, Everton was the sharper side after the break, tenaciously pressurising Cech.

But the Chelsea keeper twice thwarted Everton forays in the first 15 minutes, first denying captain Phil Neville and then blocking a backheel from Phil Jagielka.

Chelsea capitalised on Everton's missed opportunities, exploiting the wings on a counter for its only goal.

Florent Malouda dispatched a deep, diagonal pass from the half way line to Cole, and the England midfielder settled the ball before beating Howard.