John Obi Mikel has revealed how Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti steamed into his players after their humiliating draw with Apoel Nicosia. And Mikel, whose mistake cost them victory against the Cypriot minnows, claims the Blues are running scared of the Italian.

Mikel said: "The manager was really, really mad with the way we played in the second half. We had lost the last two games and, playing at home as well, we should have won the game.

"We played well in the first half but in the second half we didn't move the ball quickly and you could smell the danger coming.

"It is good that we are now playing two games at home. We owe the manager because he is really mad and we have to make sure we win these next two games."

It was Mikel's dodgy backpass with two minutes to go which allowed Apoel sub Nenad Mirosavljevic to snatch his side a last-gasp equaliser.

Mikel said: "I was going to play the ball back to John Terry but the striker anticipated it and when he had the ball, I couldn't get him.

"It was a very big mistake from me, but the mistake is done now. I take responsibility for it but I think overall we didn't play well enough in the ­second half."