Essien returns to reserve action

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien made his comeback from a serious knee injury today, featuring for the first time in six months in a reserve match with West Bromwich Albion. The Ghana international featured for 75 minutes of the game, which Chelsea lost 3-2. The 29-year-old suffered a third serious knee injury in July, undergoing surgery after rupturing the anterior cruciate ligament and meniscus in his right knee during pre-season training. Essien's return to fitness came too late for him to make the Ghana squad for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations, which begins on 21 January.