Michael Essien
Nigerian Emeghara stars in Italy
Mar 11, 2013 12:45 EDT
Nigerian Innocent Emeghara scored one goal and created the other as Siena won 2-1 at Palermo in a weekend Serie A relegation clash.
Late Higuain goal hands Real Madrid victory
Feb 23, 2013 16:37 EST
Real Madrid had to come from behind as second-half goals from Kaka and Gonzalo Higuain handed them a hard-fought 2-1 at relegation threatened Deportivo La Coruna on Saturday.
Madrid, Barcelona all-square in Clasico cup clash
Jan 30, 2013 17:43 EST
French youngster Raphael Varane headed in a late goal as Real Madrid salvaged a 1-1 draw against bitter rivals Barcelona in their Spanish Cup semi-final first-leg clash on Wednesday.
'Psychic' favourites Ghana begin Africa Cup quest
Jan 19, 2013 21:26 EST
Ghana, picked by psychics in South Africa to win the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations, kick off their campaign Sunday against DR Congo, a side never far from confusion and controversy.
Barcelona held by 10-man Malaga
Jan 16, 2013 17:54 EST
Holders Barcelona's hopes of retaining the Spanish Cup hang in the balance after being held 2-2 at home by 10-man Malaga in their Spanish Cup quarter-final first leg clash on Wednesday.
Real take big step towards Cup semi-finals
Jan 15, 2013 17:18 EST
Real Madrid took a big step towards the Spanish Cup semi-finals on Tuesday as they beat Valencia 2-0 in their quarter-final first leg clash at the Bernabeu.
Ba makes immediate impact for Chelsea
Jan 07, 2013 09:19 EST
New Senegalese signing Demba Ba made an immediate impact for Chelsea at the weekend, scoring twice on debut in a 5-1 FA Cup third-round triumph away to Southampton.
Barcelona back in charge in Spain
Dec 20, 2012 19:57 EST
With Barcelona having made a record start to the season and Lionel Messi hitting the most goals in a calendar year it is easy to forget the clouds of uncertainty that hung over the Camp Nou last summer as they sought to topple champions Real Madrid.
Diouf performs in dramatic Hanover win
Nov 12, 2012 14:42 EST
Senegal striker Mame Diouf scored one goal and set up another in Hanover 96's brilliant comeback from two down to beat VfB Stuttgart 4-2 in the German Bundesliga over the weekend.
Late Ozil strike earns vital point for Madrid
Nov 06, 2012 17:57 EST
Mesut Ozil saved Madrid with a brilliant late free-kick to earn a Champions League point in an entertaining 2-2 draw with Borussia Dortmund in the Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday.
Real's Benzema out of Dortmund meeting
Nov 05, 2012 13:20 EST
Real Madrid's French striker Karim Benzema will miss Tuesday's Champions League game against German champions Borussia Dortmund, coach Jose Mourinho revealed on Monday.
Ayew brothers on target for Marseille
Nov 05, 2012 09:02 EST
Second-half goals from Ghanaian brothers Andre and Jordan Ayew clinched Marseille's 2-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the French Ligue 1 over the weekend.
Record breaking Barca beat Celta as Real play catch-up
Nov 03, 2012 19:14 EDT
Real Madrid beat Zaragoza 4-0 on Saturday but remain eight points behind record breaking Barcelona who earlier won 3-1 against Celta Vigo to go three points ahead of the pack.
Real Madrid ease to first-leg win in Cup
Oct 31, 2012 19:07 EDT
A double by Karim Benzema and goals from Kaka and Jose Rodriguez saw Real Madrid to a 4-1 first-leg victory at Alcoyano on Wednesday and barring a major shock in the return leg a place in the Last 16 of the Spanish Cup.
Senegal's Ba, Cisse score in Newcastle victory
Oct 29, 2012 11:08 EDT
Senegalese players Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse each scored to secure Newcastle's 2-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion in the English Premier League over the weekend.
Lacklustre Real Madrid beat Celta
Oct 20, 2012 14:34 EDT
Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo hit a goal apiece in either half as Real Madrid eased past Celta Vigo with a 2-0 victory on Saturday.
'FIFA virus' hits Madrid's pursuit of Barcelona
Oct 19, 2012 22:50 EDT
Real Madrid are battling an injury crisis ahead of their home clash with Celta Vigo on Saturday as World Cup duty threatens the team's La Liga pursuit of bitter rivals Barcelona.
Mourinho eyes English return after Real sojourn
Oct 01, 2012 13:28 EDT
Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho says he wants to return to an English Premier League club after his spell in the Spanish capital comes to an end.
Madrid can't afford more slip-ups, says Xavi
Sep 29, 2012 01:36 EDT
Barcelona midfielder Xavi Hernandez feels their eight-point lead over Real Madrid has piled the pressure on their bitter rivals ahead of La Liga's first clasico of the season a little over a week away.
Madrid back on track with Rayo win
Sep 24, 2012 16:38 EDT
Real Madrid kept Barcelona in their sights as an early goal from Karim Benzema put them on their way to a 2-0 win over Rayo Vallecano - but they remain eight points behind the Catalan side, who are yet to drop a point this season.
Facts from the Wikipedia page:
 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Michael Kojo Essien | ||
| Date of birth | December 3, 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Accra, Ghana | ||
| Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)[1] | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder, Defender | ||
| Club information | |||
| Current club | Chelsea | ||
| Number | 5 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1999–2000 | Liberty Professionals | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2003 | Bastia | 65 | (11) |
| 2003–2005 | Lyon | 71 | (7) |
| 2005– | Chelsea | 116 | (14) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2002– | Ghana | 45 | (8) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 20:32, 8 December 2009 (UTC). † Appearances (Goals). | |||
