Essien earns Ancelotti praise

ESSIEN WAS IN FULL FLIGHT

Chelsea coach Carlo Ancelotti is raving about Michael Essien's performance in Saturday's fluid destruction of New boys Burnley 3-0 at Stamford Bridge to stay top of the English Premier League.

 
There was dissension last week when Essien was benched in their win at Fulham but the gaffer later explained it was meant to allow him some rest and it paid off yesterday.

Essien's neat through ball sent Didier Drogba clear on the right flank and after his drilled cross took the seemingly invincible Jensen out of the picture, Anelka slid in at the back post to break the deadlock.

Two more goals came from the Michael Ballack and defender Ashley Cole to maintain Chelsea's 100% record in the league.

Chelsea continued to flow forward effortlessly and Essien almost made it four in the 66th minute but Jensen dived low to his left to tip the ball around the post.

Jensen denied Essien again in the 76th minute when he punched away a rising drive from the Chelsea midfielder.

Ancelotti whose diamond formation is working to perfection paid glowing tribute to his Ghana international.

"We had a perfect display and I would like to give special praise to Michael Essien, who did an amazing job in the midfield and found the pass that broke the game open for us," Ancelotti added.

"I'm so proud to be manager of this team because they are showing amazing quality every week.

 "To have maximum points from four games is the perfect start, but I will not allow anyone to get carried away. It's not just the result, but this great performance that pleases me."

Essien is expected to replicate such rich vein of form next week for Ghana in a 2010 joint qualifier against Sudan at home.