Honours even at Stamford Bridge in Group C thriller

David Luiz and Eden Hazard gave Chelsea a first-half lead, before a goal from Aleksandar Kolarov and a brace by Edin Dzeko gave the visitors the lead, and Hazard struck again to earn a point for Antonio Conte’s men.

The game was very open from the start, with action at both ends in the opening minutes. Alvaro Morata had a chance to give his side an early lead, but his curling effort was too central and was easily saved by Alisson.

Diego Perotti, who was arguably Roma’s biggest threat in the first period, made an excellent run through the Chelsea midfield before firing just over the crossbar from 20 yards out.

The game was flowing from end to end but it was the home side who made the breakthrough after 11 minutes. David Luiz tried to thread the ball through to Morata, but his pass was blocked and fell back to the Brazilian, and he promptly curled the ball low into the bottom corner from 25 yards out to make it 1-0.

The opening goal quietened Roma down after their bright start, but they were by no means out of the game. Courtois saved a shot from Perotti at the edge of the box, before getting down well to deny his compatriot Radja Nainggolan at the near post.

Despite the threat from the away side, Antonio Conte’s men soon had a two goal lead after 37 minutes. Hazard stole the ball in midfield and worked it to Morata, whose deflected effort fell perfectly for the Belgian winger and he finished first-time from close range to score his first goal of the season and double his side’s lead on the night.

If Chelsea thought the second goal would end any Roma hopes of getting something from the game, they were mistaken. 3 minutes later, Aleksandar Kolarov reduced the deficit for the Serie A side. The full-back cut into the box from the left-hand side, before firing goalwards, and his effort deflected of Andreas Christensen into the roof of the net to bring his side back into the game.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side came out from the break determined to get the equaliser. Gerson cut in from the right hand side and fired goalwards but is effort was just too high and sailed over the crossbar.

Courtois then made a vital interception as Kolarov fired a low cross into the danger area, and the Belgian goalkeeper stuck his foot out to stop Dzeko from levelling the scores with a tap in.

However, Chelsea’s stopper was totally helpless when the Bosnian striker got a stunning equaliser for the Serie A side after 64 minutes.

Federico Fazio sent an excellent lofted ball over the top and Dzeko unleashed a sensation volley past Courtois from the left corner of the box to make it 2-2, with what may well be one of the goals of the season.

The ‘Giallorossi’ then raced into a surprising 3-2 lead four minutes after levelling the scores. Kolarov swung a dangerous free-kick in from the left and Dzeko headed past Courtois from inside the box to stun the English champions.

It didn’t take long for the hosts to reply and they brought the sides level after 75 minutes. Pedro crossed in from the right and Eden Hazard directed an excellent header into the bottom corner for his second of the game.

Both sides had opportunities to score the seventh goal of the game and potentially take all three points, but Dzeko somehow failed to secure his hat-trick and headed wide from six yards after an excellent ball in from Bruno Peres, before Gary Cahill was unable to keep his header down from a Cesc Fabregas free-kick.

The match finished at three goals apiece which was enough to see Chelsea extend their lead at the top of Group C and maintain their unbeaten start to their Champions League campaign.

Meanwhile, Roma earned a valuable point after Atletico Madrid were held by Qarabag and they sit in second place, three points ahead of the La Liga outfit.