Ghana international midfielder Michael Essien played the entire duration of the game for AC Milan in their 2-2 stalemate with Sampdoria in the Italian Serie A on Saturday evening.

The 31-year-old commanded a starting role in Fillipo Inzaghi’s midfield and completed the entire regulation minutes at the Stadio Comunale Luigi Ferraris.

With Compatriot Sulley Muntari missing from the Milan squad for the game, Essien enjoyed the game as Milan had to fight back to snatch a point from the game with Stefan El Shaarawy breaking his goal drought.

The Egyptian-born Italian drove forward and curled home a shot from the outside of the area early on in the game, justifying the decision to start him ahead of Fernando Torres.

The game was Essien fifth game this season and just his second start of the season.