Chelsea captain John Terry has welcomed the return to full fitness of teammate Michael Essien.

"Only Michael could do that," Terry told chelseafc.com after their 1-0 win over Manchester City. "Only he could come back and after two games have scored two goals and play as well as he has been.

"After so long out you think it would take three or four games to find his feet but he is an absolute machine. You see him working his socks off for six months in the gym and it pays dividends. He is brilliant and it is great to have him back."