Thissetback came a week after the announcement of further delays on one of Britain's largest construction projects, the extension of London Underground's Jubilee Line from Westminster to Stratford in east London.
The Blues were unperturbed by this early setback and Essien restored equality after 19 minutes when he took a pass from Florent Malouda and fired a swerving shot past Apoel keeper Dionisios Chiotis, who had no chance.