With only seconds to spare, Essien made his second big impression of the evening.
Essien added his second header seven minutes from time before Scott Parker volleyed a late consolation.
Essien tapped home the first from close range after a fine run and pull-back from Shevchenko.
Essien will be one week later than Cole, but he is also doing very well.
Essien powerfully headed home the only goal from a Salomon Kalou left-wing cross during the first half.
Meanwhile, Essien produced a typically dynamic display before, with the game safe, he was replaced by McEachran.
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Chelsea will have Michael Essien available again after suspension and he will be a huge boost for them.
Fulham boss Mark Hughes felt that Essien deserved to be red-carded and also raised questions over Chelsea's goal.
Michael Essien wasted a good chance by shooting wide before Rosenborg took a shock lead after 24 minutes.
Michael Essien scored two and Salomon Kalou one for the Blues before Scott Parker grabbed a late consolation.
They were forced to repel late pressure and finished with 10 men after Essien's two-footed tackle on Clint Dempsey.
He always does the right thing, depending on where myself and Essien are.
Essien, a signing from French club Lyon last season, was criticised in some quarters for his physical style last season.
But Essien, who also criticised for challenges on Bolton's Tal Ben Haim and Arsenal's Lauren, believes the criticism was undeserved.
Ghana fielded a strong team, including Chelsea's Michael Essien, but went down to a Mohamed Aoudou goal in stoppage time.
And there was still time for more drama as Carrick was penalised for blocking Essien's right-wing cross with his arm.
Michael Essien of Ghana and Chelsea has the chance to retain his 2006 title after being named in the group.
Yossi Benayoun slid a delightful ball into striker Anelka, who put a ball across which Essien side-footed in from 12 yards.
Didier Drogba was injured in the Fulham penalty area when Essien headed home and Hughes conceded his side were caught off guard.
Michael Essien went close with a header before the late drama unfolded.
But the power of Drogba, the combative qualities of Essien and Cole's darting movement had United pinned back in their own half.
Essien crashed a shot against the visitors' crossbar before Spurs finally buckled.
Essien was a regular for the English champions last season, but the arrival of Germany captain Michael Ballack puts his place at risk.
The Premier League champions, minus Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and John Terry, head to Tyneside without a win in their last two matches.
The fourth was inevitable, and came with 17 minutes left, Joe Cole turning in another rebound when Hirschfeld could only block Essien's shot.
All three chances fell within the space of 60 seconds - and from the moment Essien struck the home team seemed firmly in control.
And it reaped a reward after only three minutes when the makeshift central defensive partnership of Paulo Ferreira and Michael Essien was ruthlessly exposed.
Arsenal were instantly deflated, and Fabianski had to make fine saves from Michael Essien and Cole as Chelsea threatened to extend the victory margin.
Ashley Cole latched on to an exquisite through ball from midfielder Michael Essien but the England left-back dragged his shot wide of Sorensen's far post.
Ancelotti used half-time to replace the ineffective John Mikel Obi with first-choice holding midfielder Michael Essien and the move seemed to give Chelsea added impetus.
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