Chelsea look to hone makeshift defence in Cup

LONDON, Jan 21 (Reuters) Injury-hit Chelsea will look for an improved performance from their makeshift defence when they face fourth-division Wycombe Wanderers in the second leg of their English League Cup semi-final on Tuesday.

Arsenal visit Tottenham Hotspur in a mouthwatering London derby in the first leg of the other semi-final at White Hart Lane on Wednesday looking to extend a 15-game unbeaten record against Spurs in all competitions since 1999.

Chelsea, held 1-1 at Wycombe in the first leg, were poor in defence in their 2-0 Premier League defeat at Liverpool on Saturday, giving away a soft opening goal after four minutes.

Coach Jose Mourinho, whose team are chasing four titles, said a central defence of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien were still trying to find their feet when Liverpool struck.

They conceded another goal 14 minutes later allowing the unmarked Jermaine Pennant a free volley.

Mourinho, beset by reports of a rift with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich over out-of-form striker Andriy Shevchenko, believes however that the pressure on their defence is far greater in the league than in the other competitions.

MISSING DEFENDERS ''We have played all these games without central defenders. You can cope at home in the Carling (League) Cup, FA Cup -- even in the Champions League it is easier to cope than in the Premiership,'' he told Sky Sports.

Injured captain John Terry and unwell Ricardo Carvalho, the usual centre-back pairing, were missing at Anfield as were key midfielders Claude Makelele (suspended) and Joe Cole (injured).

Arjen Robben also appeared to have twisted an ankle early in the match and was soon substituted.

Makelele will return to face Wycombe and Carvalho will almost certainly join him but Mourinho also needs improvements from fringe players like John Obi Mikel and Salomon Kalou in midfield and attack.

When Arsenal and Tottenham last met in the League Cup it was also at the semi-final stage in the 1986/87 season.

After each team won away over the two legs, Arsenal reached the final by dramatically scoring twice in the last eight minutes to snatch a 2-1 win in a replay at White Hart Lane.

Arsenal beat Spurs 3-0 in their only league encounter so far this season at the Emirates Stadium in December. The second leg of their League Cup semi-final is scheduled for Jan. 31.

Also on Tuesday, Watford are at home to Blackburn Rovers in a Premier League match and Luton Town host Queens Park Rangers in a replay of their FA Cup third round tie.

Reuters PM GC0917