Roma 3-0 Chelsea: Match report, reaction and key statistics

In a night that is sure to live long in the memory, Stephan El Shaarawy set the Giallorossi on their way after just 44 seconds with a thunderous half-volley, before scoring again shortly before half-time to cement the advantage.

Diego Perotti then produced a howitzer of a strike midway through the second half to clinch an unforgettable win.

The result puts Eusebio Di Francesco's side top of Group C with eight points from their opening four games, and know victory over either Atletico Madrid or Qarabag in their remaining matches will send them into the last-16.

On a crucial night for both clubs, it did not take long for the Giallorossi to grab control. And it came through El Shaarawy, who ran onto Edin Dzeko's clever knockdown before steering a sumptuous right-footed half-volley around Thibaut Courtois and inside the far post.

That understandably lit up the evening, and Roma looked impressive even before El Shaarawy doubled the advantage. This time Radja Nainggolan was the provider, with El Shaarawy running onto his deep inswinging cross before prodding a shot beyond Courtois once again.

At the other end Chelsea had a couple of decent chances, with Alisson Becker proving more than equal to dangerous attempts from Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata and Marcos Alonso.

In the second half Roma wrapped things up. This time it was Perotti with the moment of inspiration, as he caught a right-footed shot sweetly to beat Courtois at his near post from 25 yards - and with it, confirm an unforgettable night for all Roma fans.

Team selection

Coach Eusebio Di Francesco made three changes to the team that beat Bologna for Wednesday's Champions League clash against Chelsea.

Aleksandar Kolarov, Radja Nainggolan and Diego Perotti all came into the side, with Kostas Manolas only fit enough for a place on the bench after recently recovering from injury.

Daniele De Rossi captained the side, on his 50th appearance (excluding play-off matches) in the competition.

Key moments

FIRST HALF

1' - GOAL! INSTANT! What a hit! El Shaarawy runs onto Dzeko's knockdown & curls a stunning half-volley inside the far post with the outside of his boot! WOW! 1-0!

4' - Chelsea look to respond immediately but Alisson does well to get down and stop Hazard's low drive!

20' - Hazard darts inside on his right foot but shoots low and hard straight at Alisson.

22' - Florenzi tries to emulate El Shaarawy's spectacular strike, but he can't keep it down.

24' - Another Hazard shot on goal, this time from a more central position, but again Alisson saves and holds.

25' - Morata misses a gilt-edged chance after some sloppy defending & a lucky deflection gifts him a clear shot at goal.

35' - Swift Roma counter after a David Luiz mistake: Dzeko feeds El Shaarawy but this time Courtois makes the save!

37' - GOAL! AGAIN! Brilliant from El Shaarawy! Radja swings in a deep cross from the left and ElSha runs onto it before prodding a shot beyond Courtois! YES! 2-0!

44' - Top save Alisson! The goalkeeper dives to his left to parry away Marcos Alonso's dangerous curling attempt!

44' - From the resulting corner, Bakayoko nods wide from six-yards out...

See more images in our dedicated match gallery.

SECOND HALF

47' - Good start from the hosts - Kolarov forces a corner and, after a half-clearance, Dzeko flicks a cross just wide.

54' - Dzeko creates space for himself after fine work from Perotti and El Shaarawy but blasts narrowly over!

57' - Slick move from Chelsea this time, but Morata snatches at his shot and drags it wide...

63' - GOAL! IT'S THREE! PEROTTI! What a brilliant hit! The winger cuts inside onto his right foot and hits a powerful low drive that beats Courtois at his near post! YES! 3-0!

68' - Another great chance for Perotti! Dzeko holds the ball up and plays him clean through ... but he shoots over!

78' - Radja unleashes a trademark piledriver from 25 yards ... but Courtois gets his hand to it!

79' - SAVE COURTOIS! Manolas meets the inviting cross but the GK saves from point-blank! Applause from the Olimpico!

Key match statistics

See more game statistics in our dedicated match centre.

Social media reaction

Roma reaction

“It’s the kind of night that you never forget, for the rest of your life. This is a special night – it was my first brace in the Champions League, plus beating Chelsea 3-0 doesn’t happen every day. This win means a lot to us."It means a great deal [to go top of the group]. When the draw was made, there was some doubt surrounding us. But we went to London and played a really good game, at a tough ground. Now we have an important game before the international break – we’re purely focused on that.”

- Stephan El Shaarawy

“We knew we might struggle today with the formation Chelsea went with but we also knew we could hurt them on the counter and so it proved. The lads dug in and defended really well when they needed to, which is exactly what all great teams must be able to do."We've shown that we're an improving side. We mustn't stop now, though. We have to push on from here."We need to take this spirit with us in all competitions across the campaign - and if we do I am convinced we can achieve something important."

- Eusebio Di Francesco

What's next?

Roma now have just one match remaining before the international break - as they head to Florence on Sunday for a big match against Fiorentina.

The tests keep coming after the break, however, with Lazio, and Atletico Madrid the first two games on the agenda - both with big implications domestically and in Europe.

ROMA 3-0 CHELSEA

Goalscorers: El Shaarawy (1', 38'), Perotti (63')

Roma: Alisson; Florenzi (Manolas), Fazio, J. Jesus, Kolarov; De Rossi, Nainggolan, Strootman; El Shaarawy (Gerson), Dzeko, Perotti (Pellegrini).

Chelsea: Courtois; Cahill, David Luiz, Rudiger; Alonso, Bakayoko, Fabregas, Azpilicueta; Hazard, Morata, Pedro.