Ex-Manchester City players Alexander Kolarov and Edin Dzeko combined to score three stunners against Chelsea but 2-goal Eden Hazard makes sure the Blues secure one point from the pulsating encounter.
Eden Hazard scored his first goals of the season to rescue Chelsea as Antonio Conte's men were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Roma in the Champions League.
Edin Dzeko had looked set to enjoy one of the most memorable nights of his career after he scored twice – including one of the all-time great Champions League goals – to help Roma rally from 2-0 down to lead 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining.
However, Hazard spoiled the party for the Italians with an equaliser five minutes later in the Group C clash in London on Wednesday.
Going into the game on the back of two Premier League consecutive defeats, Chelsea quickly allayed any nerves around Stamford Bridge when David Luiz guided a sweetly struck shot into the net after 11 minutes and Hazard doubled their lead, turning an Alvaro Morata pass into the net eight minutes before half-time.
11' GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Roma (David Luiz)
37' GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Roma (Eden Hazard)
But Roma were never out of the contest and Aleksandar Kolarov's goal five minutes prior to the break gave them hope of a second-half reprisal that came true when Dzeko scored a stunning volley and a header to give them the lead.
The contest swung from end to end throughout and even at 3-3 there were numerous chances for both sides to find a winner, but a stalemate seemed fitting after Hazard and Dzeko matched each other goal for goal and inspired their sides in equal measure.
Returning from injury, Morata fired straight into the arms of goalkeeper Alisson when Hazard played him through on goal in the fifth minute, but the visitors refused to sit back and Diego Perotti went on a mazy dribble through Chelsea's defence three minutes later.
40' GOAL! Chelsea 2-1 Roma (Alexander Kolarov)
Errors began to creep into Roma's defensive play and after his ball into the box for Morata was blocked by Juan Jesus, David Luiz ran onto the rebound and stroked it beyond Alisson into the bottom right corner of the net from 20 yards.
Just as Roma began to make gains in midfield, Chelsea broke at the other end and Morata's deflected pass looped over to the far post where Hazard was on hand to tuck the ball into the net from close range.
But three minutes later Kolarov, who picked up the ball on the left wing, rounded Cesar Azpilicueta and rattled in a shot that hit the top of the net via a slight touch by Andreas Christensen.
In the second half, Dzeko came within a whisker of turning a Kolarov cross into the net as it flashed past his toes inside the six-yard box.
Perotti then curled a shot into Thibaut Courtois' hands with half an hour left to play, before a moment of brilliance changed the complexion of the game.
Federico Fazio jogged over the half-way line and played a long, chipped pass forward and Dzeko watched it all the way into the box before meeting it with his boot laces and volleying an unstoppable shot over the head of Courtois.
64' EQUALIZING GOAL!!! Chelsea 2-2 Roma (Edin Dzeko scores 1 of the best goals in history!)
Chelsea had barely reacted to the blow when Dzeko scored again six minutes later, applying a glancing header to Kolarov's free-kick to take it past Courtois and into the far corner of the net from six yards out.
70' ROMA HAVE TURNED THE GAME AROUND! Chelsea 2-3 Roma (Dzeko again!!!)
If Roma head coach Eusebio Di Francesco was delighted with that, he will have been equally appalled by the simple nature of Hazard's equaliser.
The Belgian forward was left unmarked when second-half substitute Pedro sent over a routine cross, and Hazard's header found the bottom left corner of the net with accuracy, prompting a scramble for chances in the last 15 minutes but neither side could force a winner.
75' IT'S CHELSEA'S TURN TO EQUALIZE! Chelsea 3-3 Roma (Hazard header!)
Akekala
117
Dejavu...I Really thought I saw this somewhere🤔
murinzie
54
What a double comeback, this should be probably today's most interesting UCL match, with the stunners of David luiz, Edin Dzeko strikes...and btfl comeback, and at the end, equal points to each...Good game buddies
Nigeria7651059
52
Chelsea need a better goalkeeper coutouis is not keeping with loyalty, look the two goal by Dzeko. no dedication. Rubbish
intelligency44
50
Kolarov (1 goal, 1 assist) Dzeko (2 goals) football fans watched As Roma vs Chelsea ...but, I watched Man City vs Chelsea. what an incredible comeback by both sides.
Armathon24
48
What a goal from David Luiz. Completely surprised playing in Midfield. Hazard with 2 goals. And Roma was on fire after half time. Kolarov and Dzeko the veterans did great. Good goal from Kolarov and What a volley from Dzeko!!!!!! It has to select for a Puskas Award. But Roma Can't keep their lead. Hazard header equalise and game changed. 1 point each and Chelsea will lead in group stage. It's a Match of the month. Thumbs up if you like my comment.
Smartestg20
45
Now y'all know the importance of Ngolo kante in the midfield. He covers 50% of the earth
Deyamst
45
This shows how much Chelsea needs Kante 2be always on the game
ManchesterKING
45
EPL unbeaten story continues
Francesco-Ilzo-Totti
45
ROMAAA ROMAAA ROMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA, ENGLISH TEAM? LMAOOO WE SHOWED U THAT ITALY IS SOMETHING ELSE, FORZA ITALIA, FORZA ROMA
Staech
42
Chelsea really pulled one to hold roma of claiming three points..impressive Blues👍👍👍👌👌👌great display
MCRM
41
Three game in a row, two defeat and a draw, not a good one for the English Champion, Conte is pressured, if he fail to win against Watford, then i am afraid for his future.
jucuch
35
though it was a tough match with both teams displaying a very impressive performance, Chelsea is a kind of disappointing these days. Who could have taught that Roma could come back from two goals down to be on top leaving Chelsea with the option to seek for an equaliser. Of the Chelsea I know it is absurdity, poor goalkeeping, poor defence and quaking midfield, is something to look into, the same group of world class defenders are almost becoming the most underperforming defenders. Roma outplayed Chelsea today, believe it or not. What Chelsea did was to struggle to come out of the match with a draw as the best option. Saturday is another day, take care of the mess ups in the team or face more embarrassment from Watford Mr coach, cos they are not going to take that match lightly, fully well aware that they are in abundance of form.
tezklprt
35
Chelsea players are too lazy,the team is getting dull everyday.
U.S.A8458050
34
u can not compare Roma and benfica to Roma or Basel to Madrid athletical its different u man u bull fans that group is easy compared to Chelsea.
sweetperf
31
Funny and moat interesting match of the night The two teams did well and performed excellently Congratulations!
Voncekmz
28
England is the best in the world
Sozmnuy
28
they can't win Roma
socmu
25
what we don't know is Chelsea is good in Away matches than Home matches.pressures was on the players
saimon1993
19
game is taff and we straigyt ahead to prepear for another metch gud job my team godbless more
Ekendraphadera
15
what a game amazing goal by edin best match of match day 3.
AoBrien
14
What a game. A six goal thriller you don't see them very often. Conte starting to feel the pressure now I think. Kante is a big loss
popaty997
8
goal scored by dzeko you can get -: loans from any bank in world tretment of sleeping sickness