Mikel: Fightback can lift us

John Obi Mikel hopes the second-half fightback at Manchester United will prove the catalyst for Chelsea to finish a tumultuous season on a high.

The holders appeared likely to exit the FA Cup after going 2-0 down 11 minutes into the quarter-final at Old Trafford and many wondered if Rafael Benitez’s spell in interim charge would come to a premature end as a result of a heavy defeat to an old rival.

But Chelsea responded with second-half goals from substitute Eden Hazard and Ramires to force a replay, while Mikel too was influential after coming off the bench.