Blues lose out in Rome

The hosts stormed into a three-goal lead inside 58 minutes thanks to Christian Panucci and two goals from Mirko Vucinic.

Chelsea reduced the deficit through captain John Terry in the 75th minute before their miserable night ended in more woe with Deco dismissed for a second bookable offence in the 80th minute.

A cagey start by both sides was brought to an end when Deco tried his luck from 25-yards but the Chelsea midfielder was thwarted by a fine save from Alexander Doni.

But for all Chelsea's initial domination, the English side could not convert their superiority into goals. Frank Lampard forced Doni into a fine save by his near post in the 21st minute, while on the half-hour Deco set up Lampard for another shot on goal but the England midfielder was once again denied by the agility of the Roma stopper.

Roma went ahead in the 33rd minute through former Blue Panucci. Joao Cicinho's cross from the right wing eluded everyone and Panucci reacted first to sweep the ball into the net beyond Petr Cech from close-range.

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari rang the chances at half time but they had little time to take effect before Vucinic put Roma two in front three minutes after the re-start. The Roma midfielder took a short pass from Matteo Brighi and sent a rising 25-yard drive into the net beyond the despairing Cech.

Roma went three in front in the 58th minute when Mikel made another astonishing error. The Nigerian lost the ball to Vucinic, who ran the length of the Chelsea half, beat the retreating Mikel again, and fired home beyond Cech.

Chelsea finally reduced the arrears when captain Terry tucked the ball home from close range after Deco's shot had been deflected into his path.

But the night got worse for Chelsea when Deco was sent off for a second bookable offence with 10 minutes remaining.