Essien impressed in the win over Manchester City on Sunday and scored his second goal in as many games.
The 26-year-old has been out of action for six months following a cruciate ligament injury.
Terry said: “Only Michael could do that. Only he could come back and after two games have scored two goals and played as well as he has.
“After so long out you would think he’d need three or four games to find his feet — but he is an absolute machine.
“You see him working his socks off for five months in the gym and it pays dividends. He is brilliant and it is great to have him back.”
