Avram Grant claimed beforehand that Chelsea did not need the Carling Cup, but as he wakes this morning with a final against Tottenham Hotspur on the horizon, he may conclude that last night he moved a little closer to emerging from the daunting shadow of José Mourinho.

A 1-0 victory at Goodison Park earned Chelsea a 3-1 aggregate semi-final win over Everton and left Grant, who had suggested that the Merseyside club’s need was by far the greater, to launch a strong defence of his brief reign. Since losing his first match in charge, against Manchester United in September, his team have been beaten once in 27 matches in all competitions and, after Joe Cole’s superbly taken goal had confirmed their place at Wembley on February 24, the Chelsea first-team coach suggested it was time they were given a little recognition.

“I think everyone needs to see what Chelsea is doing in the last few months,” Grant said. “It’s not just in the league or the Champions League, we’re also in the Carling Cup final now. Most of the people thought we wouldn’t succeed, but now we’re at Wembley, we’re four points from the top of the league and we’re in the last 16 of the Champions League.

“I didn’t say we don’t get credit. I just say in a positive way that you need to respect what Chelsea did in the last three months. We have had problems, but we have won so many games in all competitions and now we have the chance to win a trophy.”

Victory next month would give Chelsea their sixth trophy in four seasons and the first since Grant took over from Mourinho in September. When comparisons with his more renowned predecessor were put to him, the Israeli simply said: “I don’t compare myself to anybody.”

Cole’s goal, a perfect shot past Tim Howard in the 69th minute after he elegantly controlled a long, cross-field pass from Florent Malouda, helped to prolong Everton’s wait for a first trophy since 1995 and, like much of a resolute performance, seemed to ridicule Grant’s suggestion that the Carling Cup meant little to his team.

“It’s a great competition,” Cole said. “The final is in February, so it’s a great chance to win a trophy. That’s what it’s all about, so we’re delighted. We’ve always shown a lot of respect for this competition.”

The goal is certain to have warmed the heart of Fabio Capello, the England manager, as he watched from the directors’ box. The Italian names his squad next weekend for the friendly at home to Switzerland on February 6 and, while he may not have been overwhelmed by the depth of home-grown talent in the English game, Cole’s winner at least gave a hint of some of the genuine class at his disposal.

John Terry, the Chelsea captain, is unlikely to be fit for Capello’s first game in charge as he struggles to recover from a foot injury. Terry and Capello sat several rows apart and it was reported that they spoke at half-time. Terry will have been relieved by that, having not previously had any indication from the new manager that he would be retained as captain when fit.

The likelihood is that a definitive decision will be delayed by the Chelsea defender’s injury and by Capello’s temptation to give David Beckham the honour if, as expected, he wins his 100th cap against Switzerland.

As for Everton, David Moyes urged his players to set their sights on winning the Uefa Cup and on beating Liverpool to fourth place in the Barclays Premier League. “It was a brilliant effort by the lads, but we need to find that extra ingredient that gets us to cup finals and wins cup finals,” the Everton manager said.

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