Chelsea are now in second place, four points behind leaders Arsenal, after staging a second-half comeback to beat Southampton 3-1 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

Elsewhere, Real Sociedad qualified for the Champions League for the first time in a decade. Their 1-0 win over Deportivo La Coruna, combined with Valencia's 4-3 defeat at Sevilla, meant they claimed fourth place at the expense of Valencia.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien described Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho as being "like a father" to him on Saturday after agreeing to move to the Spanish capital on a season-long loan from Chelsea.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien on Friday joined Spanish champions Real Madrid on a season-long loan, the west London club confirmed in a statement on their website.

Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien insisted Friday that he is feeling fitter than ever and raring to go after making his comeback from his latest serious knee injury.

Ghanaian international midfielder Michael Essien should be in line for a first team start in mid-January after recovering from a serious knee injury said Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas on Friday.

Chelsea is likely to be without Michael Essien for up to six months after he underwent knee surgery on Monday.

Chelsea's injury-plagued midfielder Michael Essien has suffered another blow after hurting his right knee during pre-season training, the London club confirmed on Friday.

Michael Essien could be fit for Chelsea's vital Premier League clash with Tottenham this weekend after tests indicated a knee injury was not as serious as first thought, the club said on Tuesday.

Lyon's Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien might be going to Chelsea after all, the French club's president said on Sunday night.