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Essien strikes TWICE to show his importance |
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Saturday, 21 November 2009 |
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 Essien scored twice on Saturday
His performance for the Blues has further heightened calls for the enforcer to be forgiven by the Ghana FA over his no-show in the Angola friendly on Wednesday.
Ghana legend Mohammed Polo has warned that punishment to the country’s key player could be an own goal for the Black Stars at the Nations Cup.
Essien’s feat estyablished his reputation and ensured that Chelsea recorded their 1000th league win at Stamford Bridge and made it a year since their last defeat at home.
It also equalled a club record 10th home clean sheet in a row as a Florent Malouda blast, the double from Essien and a second-half strike from Joe Cole, saw them romp past woeful Wolves. Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the table and the scoreline could have been even worse for Mick McCarthy's team had the dominant Blues not wasted a further glut of chances. Carlo Ancelotti sent out a side without the likes of Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba, Deco and Michael Ballack but they tore into Wolves from the off and the points were bagged by the halfway point of the first-half. Malouda opened the scoring in the fifth minute with a 25-yard drive and Essien then scored twice in 10 minutes, the first a near-post header, the second a low drive that slipper under a disappointed Wayne Hennessey. Cole kept the rout going in the 56th minute. Nicolas Anelka squared for Salomon Kalou, who touched the ball back for the midfielder to unleash a low shot which again squirmed under Hennessey's body. It was Cole's first goal since October 5 LAST year. Essien almost claimed a hat-trick in the 63rd minute but his shot was palmed on to the top of the bar by Hennessey.
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