AS Roma leapfrogged to the top of Group C of the UEFA Champions League with a stunning victory against Chelsea, where they began dismantling the visitors from the very first minute of the game.
The Blues were swept aside by a clinical, composed and compact AS Roma side at Stadio Olimpico, with goals coming from Stephen El Shaarawy in the first half and a stunning strike from distance from Diego Perotti, which effectively sealed the game for the hosts.
It didn’t take long for the reactions to start, as Chelsea fell a goal behind within the first minute of the game via superb finish from El-Shaarawy.
Chelsea keep a clean sheet without Cahill.
Cahill returns and we concede in 1 minute.
This isn’t rocket science.
— Mod (@HazardChaos) October 31, 2017
Crikey. Was an absolutely stunning goal by El Shaarawy in 40 seconds for Roma against Chelsea’s. Live now on @btsport 2 btw.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) October 31, 2017
Chelsea fans tuning in late to their Roma clash…. pic.twitter.com/qKcZnkwHgC
— 101 Great Goals (@101greatgoals) October 31, 2017
Are Chelsea not supposed to be back, though?
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 31, 2017
Chelsea’s start against Roma… ?#romche #cfc pic.twitter.com/COLfrtbISb
— Sportdec (@SportdecApp) October 31, 2017
That is the quickest goal @ChelseaFC have ever conceded in the Champions League. #CFC #Chelsea
— Chad (@ChelseaChadder) October 31, 2017
Stephan El Shaarawy’s goal against Chelsea was Roma’s fastest ever goal in the Champions League.
38 seconds on the clock. ⏱ pic.twitter.com/WpgfdTacUT
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 31, 2017
Chelsea owning this game since conceding. Which, of course, counts for nothing without at least an equaliser.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) October 31, 2017
1 – Chelsea have conceded a goal in the opening minute of a competitive game for the first time since December 1st 2013 (Rodriguez). Shocked pic.twitter.com/SKo1vbrGu9
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 31, 2017
Chelsea is the first team to concede a goal during the Champions league anthem
— LIVINSTONE CHIMEZIE (@Lyvinston) October 31, 2017
After what can only be described as a mental lapse in Chelsea’s defense, El Shaarawy scored his and Roma’s second of the night, against the run of play.
Chelsea defenders messing up,aaahhhh what a horrible mistakes
— Ofori K.Frank (@apost_frank) October 31, 2017
Lol I still dont understand why Chelsea wasted money on Rudiger when they have Christiansen and they had Ake. stupid
— Sly (@Sly_Abidal) October 31, 2017
Roma 2-0 Chelsea. Our old friend Defensive Calamity at the scene as Rudiger and Azpi let in El Shaaarawy for a second.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) October 31, 2017
El Shaarawy again!
Someone is in the crowd hitting Chelsea’s entire defense with confundus curses, has to be.
— COPA90 US (@COPA90US) October 31, 2017
Worst chelsea display I’ve seen in all my 57 years
— David Woodward (@DavidWoody4141) October 31, 2017
The scored stayed 2-0 with Chelsea having more possession and creating more chances. Their inability to make anything of said chances was the only thing separating the two sides.
Chelsea currently looking jaded.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) October 31, 2017
Chelsea’s problem is that Conte hasn’t fielded the same back three in consecutive games for weeks. Remember, familiarity breeds clean sheets
— Taofeek majek (@tahoochelsea) October 31, 2017
And then in a strange turn of events,
Willian replaces Cahill with 55 minutes played. Pedro will move to right wing-back and Azpi back into the defence. #ROMCHE
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 31, 2017
Chelsea sub: Willian on for Cahill. Half of Chelsea twiter is presently punching itself in the head.
— Dan Levene (@danlevene) October 31, 2017
Willian for Cahill…the latter is not injured…he won’t be happy..don’t think either goal was his fault #cfc
— Simon Johnson (@sjstandardsport) October 31, 2017
Then in the 61st minute, a Diego Perotti bullet into the bottom right corner of Courtois’ goal made it 3-0.
AS Roma, 5th in Serie A beating 3-0 Chelsea, the champions of England with a record 30 out of 38 wins. Serie A taking over
— Andrea?? (@SilkySuso) October 31, 2017
This Chelsea game should be like 5-0 now lol
— Maazi ™ (@Iam_Obuka) October 31, 2017
Incredible to watch Chelsea play this poorly.
— Nainggollan’s Hair (@Brolenzi) October 31, 2017
A big slap on the face of anyone who doubted Kante’s influence at Chelsea. Premier League POTY for a reason.
— Conteholic (@Conteholic) October 31, 2017
This summed up Chelsea’s performance quite well,
Shambles at the back. Shambles in midfield. Shambles going forward. Other than that, Chelsea playing well.
— Garry Hayes (@garryhayes) October 31, 2017
Chelsea’s defence like a school team all chasing the ball.
— John Cross (@johncrossmirror) October 31, 2017
Someone let me know when Nemanja Matic has a poor performance in a United shirt, can’t fault the guy. Salty Chelsea fans will, obviously ?.
— JM (@Mourinholic) October 31, 2017
Eden Hazard today:
Most shots
Most dribbles
Most chances created
Most key passesBut I praise him too much, lol he’s carrying Chelsea. pic.twitter.com/o4d4Q1dSmq
— Mod (@HazardChaos) October 31, 2017
Last time a Chelsea manager lost 3-0 in Italy he was sacked getting of the bus, when Di Matteo lost… at Antonio Conte Juve in 2012
— Sébastien Chapuis (@SebC__) October 31, 2017
Chelsea defended badly tonight but they did against Crystal Palace, Roma, Watford and Everton so no surprises really. #CFC #UCL
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) October 31, 2017
Chelsea are the first English side to lose a game in the Champions League this season.
When in Rome… ? pic.twitter.com/dAWwxfXBsH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 31, 2017
However,on a fairly positive note for Chelsea fans,
Chelsea are still in a strong position to qualify for the last-16 despite a dismal night in Rome https://t.co/QKdEIRdiLe pic.twitter.com/5ENQLwT0XL
— Telegraph Football (@TeleFootball) October 31, 2017