Michael Essien rues Chelsea’s ‘sour’ mid-season spell that saw them lose ground in title race

EPL ; Michael Essien , Chelsea vs Fulham (Getty Images)

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Michael Essien has bemoaned an up and down season for him and Chelsea.

The Blues travel to Old Trafford on Sunday to play leaders Manchester United in the hope of overtaking them in the table and snatching the Premier League title from under their noses.

Essien believes the club are now back to the form that helped them win the title last season after a sticky patch in the middle of the campaign saw their title hopes take a battering.

He told the club’s official website: “It has been a sweet and sour season.

“To use a sandwich analogy: sweet bread at the top, sour filling and more sweet bread at the bottom.

“We started the season extremely well, had a sour middle part and are now ending strongly.

“We have hit a good run of form lately and have managed to haul ourselves back into the title race.

“We have to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford this weekend to ensure we are in the driving seat and I can assure you we are up for it.

“The team is playing well and I have no doubt we will give it everything we have to beat Man United.”

The Ghanaian admitted his form dipped during the middle of the season, when he struggled with discipline problems and injuries, but is now convinced that he is back to his best.

The midfielder hopes Chelsea can now end the season on a high after coming through their difficult period.

“It is fair to say it has been a mixed season for me,” he said.

“It started very well for me and, as the team kept winning, my form just got better. But then suddenly my fine form became average for whatever reason.

“After my red card against Fulham, I picked up a slight toe injury and struggled to show the good form and performances I had shown at the start of the season.

“The team was struggling for form and we were all trying but it just wasn’t coming off.

“I was asked by friends many times what I felt the problem was and I couldn’t explain. All I can say is when you hit a bad patch, you think about everything too much.

“The simplest pass becomes a difficult task because you spend time thinking rather than just letting things flow.

“When you are on form, you receive a pass and just let it go.

“But when you are down, you think too much and lose possession.

“I am glad to say after many weeks working hard on the training pitch, it suddenly clicked and now we are in with a chance.

“My season has been a sandwich one too and I am hoping the end will be extremely good.”