Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti is sweating on the fitness of Michael Essien after the Ghanian midfielder limped off during his side's UEFA Champions League clash with Apoel Nicosia clutching his hamstring.

In a game which barely mattered, Chelsea were nowhere near their best and narrowly avoided the ignominy of a third defeat in seven days as they drew 2-2 with the Cypriot minnows at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening.

The Blues had already qualified as UEFA Champions League Group D winners but allowed Apoel to take a shock sixth minute lead to silence the home crowd when Marcin Zewlakow slotted home.

Chelsea then saw a Joe Cole goal disallowed for offside before Michael Essien made no mistake on 19 minutes with a powerful swerving effort from 25 yards, before Didier Drogba added a second soon after with a neat finish.

The goal was the powerful Ivorian's 16th in just 20 games this season. Not bad for a player who doesn’t do a lot, according to Arsene Wenger!

But Apoel substitute Nenad Mirosavljuevic netted with three minutes to go - pouncing on a sloppy mistake by John Obi Mikel to earn his side a famous point in the capital.

Ancelotti was far from happy after the game and despite his side topping the group, he insists his side must 'do better' as they enter the crucial Christmas period which can make-or-break title ambitions.

"It was not good for us, we played too slowly and too softly," he told Sky Sports Xtra.

"It was not good and we have to do better: concentrate, more pressure, more intensity.

"Our aim was to get first place but we have to do better."

However, his main concern lies with the injury sustained to midfield lynchpin Essien, with Ancelotti admitting he is a doubt for the Premier League showdown with Everton this weekend.

"Michael has a problem with his leg. We will look at him over the next few days and check on him tomorrow (Wednesday)," said the Italian.

"We hope it's not a big problem. I think he will not be able to play on Saturday."