Michael Essien is delighted to have made a successful return to action as he played in Chelsea's pre-season win over Crystal Palace.

The Ghana midfielder capped his return with a goal as he finally played his first game since suffering an injury to the knee in training back in January while on duty with the Black Stars at the 2010 African Nations Cup in Angola.

He subsequently missed the second half of last season and also the World Cup finals in South Africa.

But Essien made a long-awaited comeback in Saturday's 1-0 friendly, scoring the match winner for Chelsea with a left-foot shot from the edge of the area on the hour mark.

"It feels good, it's been a long time but I am back in full training now, everything is good and there is no reaction from the training, so things are looking good for me," Essien told the Chelsea's official website.

"I didn't have any holidays because of my rehab, but it will be good to start up again and I am looking forward to the rest of the boys coming back as well.

"I'd love to have been there playing at the end of the season, it wasn't easy for me but I supported my team-mates to win their matches, that's all I could do.

"I became a supporter and to end the season with two trophies was amazing and I was enjoying it like everyone even though I didn't play the whole season."