Roma 3-0 Chelsea, RESULT: Diego Perotti adds gloss for the hosts after Stephen El Shaarawy's first-half brace

  • Chelsea travel to Roma in their fourth Champions League group stage clash
  • The Blues can qualify for the last-16 of the competition with victory
  • Kick-off for the Group C action at the Stadio Olimpico is from 7.45pm GMT
  • Roma starting XI: Becker; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaaraway, Dzeko, Perotti
  • Chelsea starting XI: Courtois; Luiz, Cahill, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Alonso, Fabregas, Bakayoko; Pedro, Hazard, Morata
  • LIVE: Follow rest of the night's action including Man Utd, Barcelona and Celtic

Stephen El Shaarawy and Diego Perotti exposed Chelsea's fragile defence on a night Antonio Conte's side couldn't stop a rampant Roma team.  

El Shaarawy scored a brace and Perotti added Roma's third as Chelsea struggled to retain possession in central midfield.

The Blues now need just one win to go through to the knockout stages from Group C. 


Relive the action here with Sportsmail's TOM FARMERY. 

If you are using the app, please click here to view today’s live blog 

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  • Tom Farmery

    Host commentator

21:36
Full time: Roma 3-0 Chelsea

3-3 at Stamford Bridge. 3-0 in Rome. It was all very easy for Roma. Chelsea were badly organised in defence and weren't good enough with the ball in central midfield. Conte has a lot to think about ahead of the game against Manchester United on Sunday.

21:32

89min: Credit to Hazard. He hasn't given up all match. His latest contribution is to sprint down the left wing but there is no Chelsea running into the Roma area to try and get close to his cross that was cut out at the near post.

21:29

86min: Final change for Roma. Pellegrini comes on for Perotta. That should just help break up what has been an utterly drab last 20 minutes of football.

21:25

82min: That just about sums it up. Hazard shoots from outside the Roma box but his left-footed effort really was poor. It was so weak that it barely makes it out of play for a goal kick. Toothless.

Azpilicueta and Fabregas look at the ground after going 3-0 down
21:23

79min: Courtois produces a brilliant save to deny a Manolas header after a superb ball in from the right by Nainggolan. Roma have sensed just how much Chelsea have switched off and want more goals here. 

21:21

78min: Roma goalkeeper Alisson probably expected to have a much more difficult night than he has done here. He has looked very assured in the Roma goal, though his job has been made easier given how poor Chelsea have been in attack.

21:19

75min: Chelsea seem to have given up hope of getting back into this. Attention has probably already turned to the game against Manchester United on Sunday.

Meanwhile, El Shaarawy is replaced by Gerson, while Florenzi comes on for Manolas. Conte also makes his final change. Batshuayi is on for Morata.

21:15

70min: Drinkwater replaces Fabregas but it's unlikely to make much of a difference given how well Roma have ran the midfield tonight.

21:11

68min: It should be 4-0. The shape of Chelsea's defence is figured yet again by Roma who charged forward in numbers before Perotti is found in space in the Chelsea box but his right-footed effort goes over the bar.

Diego Perotti and Radja Nainggolan celebrate Roma's third goal
21:10

66min: That really has killed off any chance of a Chelsea comeback. The organisation at the back really has been non-existent this evening. Not at all good enough for this level of football. They also look as though any confidence they had having won the Premier League title last year has completely vanished.

21:06
GOAL: Perotti 62min (Roma 3-0 Chelsea)

Perotti seemed to have so much time to pick his spot as Fabregas ambled back to try and put the tackle in. Unfortunately for the midfielder he couldn't reach Perotti who cut inside from the left and found the bottom corner with a brilliant strike outside the Chelsea area.

21:02

58min: The much raved about Nainggolan has looked disappointing tonight. The usually creative midfielder's passing range has been all over the place. He's just played a ball over the top for Perotti which rolls out of play for a Chelsea goal kick.

Kevin Strootman comes forward after winning the ball from Cesc Fabregas
20:59

Cahill makes way for Willian. It looks as though Chelsea have gone back to a conventional four-man defence. They need some sort of spark and perhaps the Brazilian is the one to provide it.

20:57

54min: Dzeko shoots over the Chelsea bar but this has become far too easy for Roma. De Rossi has been allowed so much space to move forward from his own half and deep into Chelsea's. The passing from Conte's players throughout this match has been careless.

20:53

49min: Roma opting to once again direct their attacks down the left wing. Kolarov, as industrious as ever, charges forward but his cross is easily cut out. Chelsea look particularly uncomfortable when any of the back three move out of position.

20:48
Back underway in Rome

No changes at half-time as the second half gets started.

20:48
Gerrard and Ferdinand both critical of Rudiger for his mistake that led to Roma's second goal

Gerrard: 'I don't think he realises there is a runner in behind him and because of his body shape he is blind to this run. A lack of concentration. A couple of small details Chelsea have got wrong and at this level you get punished heavily.'

Ferdinand: 'That was appalling defending. He doesn't know where he is on the pitch. If you're not sure where you are just clear the ball. Don't let it bounce, just clear it. Defending diagonal balls in and around the back three... they don't know where they are all of them.'

20:34
Half-time: Roma 2-0 Chelsea

Half-time in Rome where the hosts are in full control. El Shaarawy's goals giving Roma a two-goal advantage. 

Chelsea showed signs of getting back into the game in the aftermath of Roma's first goal but they have lacked quality in the final third. 

Hazard, Morata and Pedro have all had chances and have all missed when they probably should have done more to test Alisson.

20:31
One minute of stoppage time in the first half
20:30

44min: Marcos Alonso forces a good save by Alisson. That results in a Chelsea corner. Fabregas floats the ball in but Bakayoko heads wide after he met the ball at the far post.

20:29
Azpilicueta appears to be injured

43min: Matt Barlow in Rome writes: 'Azpi looks in pain. Zappacosta told to get ready by Conte. But Azpi demands to continue. He’s back on.'

20:28

41min: That really was a major blow for Chelsea. Up until then it had been Chelsea who had looked the more likely to score. Indeed, it was as a result of a defensive error that Roma scored but Chelsea have lost possession so many times during the first half and should be disappointed with their performance.

20:24
GOAL: El Shaarawy 36min: (Roma 2-0 Chelsea)

El Shaarawy misses a brilliant chance but then seconds later makes up for his error by doubling his side's lead as well as his tally of the evening. It was Rudiger who made the mistake. He allowed the ball to run through to the striker who slotted past Courtois.

20:20

31min: Since scoring Roma haven't threatened the Chelsea goal. They seem happy enough to contest battles in midfield and use short passes to try and find space behind the Chelsea defence. No real urgency from them and it's shown through in Perotti's play on the left wing. He's barely had a touch of the ball despite calling for it each time he's in space.

20:15

28min: Continued period of pressure from Chelsea. Hazard, Pedro and Morata all getting in good positions but haven't been able to find the target. Hazard then goes down under the challenge of Florenzi outside the Roma area. No free-kick given but Hazard is still on the ground. Looks in some pain. 

Eden Hazard shows his frustration during the first half
20:11

24min: Pedro's ball in is cut out by Jesus. Morata then has a chance to take the lead after Kolarov's clearance deflects in his direction but Alisson reacts quickly to save the striker's shot from close range.

20:07

20min: Better from Chelsea. Hazard decides to take on Florenzi and beats him by cutting inside but his right-footed effort from just outside the Roma box is easily saved by Alisson. Much more positive from the Blues, though.

20:04

16min: De Rossi continues to be a pest for Chelsea. The Roma midfielder is so good at breaking up play. The latest interception he makes is to cut out a long ball played up the pitch by goalkeeper Courtois.

Alvaro Morata controls the ball during the first half
20:01

14min: Fabregas let's not forget is making his 100th appearance in the Champions League. He is looking like Chelsea's main creator this evening. Morata is, however, looking far too isolated with Fazio and Jesus marking him rather easily.

19:59

9min: The tempo has certainly settled down a little. There was no way both sides could keep going forward in such quick succession without something having to give. Both sides are now defending with much more intelligence. 

Bakayoko is working hard but his tendency to play high balls wide are costing Chelsea possession.

19:55

7min: Roma holding a deeper defensive line now and aiming to hit Chelsea on the counter attack. Chelsea are going to be very reliant on Fabregas to not only retain possession but to create chances too. It could be a very long night for him.

Stephan El Shaarawy celebrates scoring the opening goal for Roma
19:52
Plan to stop Roma already undone

Matt Barlow in Rome: 'Chelsea have lined up with Cahill right of the three centre halves and Rudiger to the left. Usually it has been the other way around. If this was a plan to stop Dzeko, it didn’t really work. Roma one up after 38 seconds.'

19:51

3min: Chelsea respond well, however, as Eden Hazard storms forward after Fabregas' ball only for the Belgian's left-footed effort to be saved by goalkeeper Alisson.

19:49
GOAL: El Shaarawy 1min (Roma 1-0 Chelsea)

Bakayoko feeds Pedro through the middle but the Chelsea forward's shot is tame. Then straightaway down the other end Stephan El Shaarawy strikes powerfully past Courtois after Dzeko knocked the ball back towards him outside the Chelsea area.

19:46
Underway in Rome

Chelsea take kick-off and off we go. 

19:42
Players coming out of the tunnel...
19:39
Chelsea going through their final prep for tonight's match
Tiemoue Bakayoko still rocking the blue hair
Morata and Cesc Fabregas prepare for tonight's tie
Radja Nainggolan leads the Roma players out at Stadio Olimpico
19:30
Hazard will be expected to create more chances tonight...
19:25
Expect plenty of goals tonight...

The last time these two met (just a couple of weeks ago) the score finished 3-3. 

Indeed, there have been over 2.5 goals scored in Chelsea's last five games in the Champions League. 

19:21
Chelsea players booed as they come out at Stadio Olimpico

Matt Barlow in Rome writes: 'Chelsea enthusiastically booed and whistled onto the pitch for their warm up by what is expected to be a big crowd at the Olympic Stadium.

'Roma run out for stretches to a very loud burst of Bon Jovi.'

19:15
Chelsea players out for their first warm-up
18:59
Fabregas (who is set to be offered a new contract at Chelsea) starts tonight

Manchester United's interest in Cesc Fabregas will hurry Chelsea into offering the midfielder a new contract, say reports.

The Times claims the Blues are ready to hand a fresh deal to their Spanish midfielder, with United eyeing him up as a potential transfer target for next summer.

Fabregas' existing contract at Stamford Bridge is due to expire in 18 months, when the playmaker will be 32.

Read the full article here.

18:52
Chelsea arrived early at Stadio Olimpico
Chelsea fans inside Stadio Olimpico
A few thousand travelled across from England to be at the game
An image of Antonio Conte as 'The Don' among the banners in the Chelsea end
18:46
A swift look around the pitch before the first warm-up of the night
18:40
Roma team news: Dzeko starts in a three-man attack

4-3-3: Becker; Florenzi, Fazio, Jesus, Kolarov; Nainggolan, De Rossi, Strootman; El Shaaraway, Dzeko, Perotti

18:37
Chelsea team news: No N'Golo Kante tonight

3-4-3: Courtois; Luiz, Cahill, Rudiger; Azpilicueta, Alonso, Fabregas, Bakayoko; Pedro, Hazard, Morata

18:35
Morata has rejected claims of wanting to leave London

Alvaro Morata hasn't been a Chelsea player for very long but reports yesterday suggested that he might not be sticking around.

It was reported that Morata disliked living in London but he has since dismissed those claims, adding if Chelsea offered him a 10-year deal now he'd sign it.

Matt Barlow, in Rome, has more here.

Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata spoke to the press before Tuesday night's game
18:22
Chelsea players have stayed relaxed all day despite events last night

Most of Chelsea's side have plenty of Champions League experience and are able to stay focused during midweek trips abroad.

That said, reports of Blues fans being attacked will have been on their minds as they took a stroll around Rome on Tuesday.

The added ingredient of the uncertainty surrounding Antonio Conte's future at Chelsea could perhaps have been playing on the players' minds. 

Not according to wing back Marcos Alonso, who was reported as saying the group has 'come together stronger'.

Click here for the full story.

Marcos Alonso says Chelsea players are behind manager Antonio Conte
18:05
Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of Roma v Chelsea

The day has been dominated by reports that Roma fans have attacked some of the travelling Chelsea contingent. 

Blues supporters were warned before their trip to Italy that they might be targeted.

Around 20 ultras attacked Chelsea supporters in the bar after shooting fireworks into the air nearby, witnesses say.

To read more click here.