Chelsea vs Roma: 5 things we learned as Edin Dzeko and Eden Hazard doubles see sides share spoils in six-goal thriller

Chelsea 3 Roma 3: Two Premier League old boys show they can still do a job, Antonio Conte makes an interesting tactical choice and one Blues midfielder enjoys a very mixed night

Eden Hazard scores Chelsea's second goal of the night against Roma (Getty Images)

Chelsea and Roma shared the spoils at Stamford Bridge in a six-goal thriller on Wednesday night that really could have gone either way.

The visiting side dominated large parts of the game but found themselves two goals behind after half an hour only for their two former Manchester City players - Edin Dzeko and Aleksandar Kolarov - to hand them a stunning lead before Eden Hazard’s headed equaliser.

David Luiz, playing in a more advanced role than usual, opened the scoring with a gem of a goal, curling one into the bottom corner from 25 yards after his initial through ball to Alvaro Morata was deflected back into his path.

While Roma enjoyed possession early on they struggled to make any real headway in the game. Radja Nainggolan had a decent chance to level on the half hour mark but was denied by compatriot Thibaut Courtois who until that point had little else to do.

Chelsea then doubled their lead as the first-half drew to a close, Eden Hazard confidently striking in a half-volley at the back post after Morata’s shot was blocked.

Then out of nowhere the Italians found a way back into the game, Kolarov bursting between two Chelsea defenders and firing one past Courtois with help of Andreas Christensen’s toe.

With Roma growing into the game in the second-half, Conte made a bold tactical switch; bringing on the winger Pedro in place of the more defensively-minded Luiz.

While that temporarily gave Chelsea a better balance, Roma made it look like a mistake thanks to a wonderful goal from Edin Dzeko, who thumped a volley past Courtois after connecting with a 40-yard diagonal from Federico Fazio.

The former City man then extended Roma’s lead to 3-2, nodding in from Kolarov’s free-kick. Stamford Bridge was stunned.

This enthralling game had another twist left in it though, with Hazard angling a header into the far corner following Pedro’s clipped cross.

Here are five things we learned:

Conte happy to cede possession

Antonio Conte's side allowed Roma much of the ball on Wednesday night (Getty Images)

Chelsea’s early lead in the game was curious for the fact they had far less possession than their opponents.

Antonio Conte’s men sat deep and appeared happy to let Roma have the ball, putting pressure on only when they made their way into the final third.

Chelsea’s opening two goals both came from counter-attacks, first Luiz and then Hazard capitalising on Roma mistakes to find the net.

It didn’t always look convincing but it certainly seemed to work for the first hour of the game. Conte’s second-half substitutions suggested he was growing increasingly uneasy with the flow of the game and the Blues grew stronger as it progressed.

Premier League old boys show they can still do a job

Eden Dzeko was helped his side earn a hard-fought point (Getty)

Aleksandr Kolarov was released by Manchester City this summer after seven years of service in the north-west with a sense that he had lost a yard of pace and perhaps could not quite fit into Pep Guardiola’s system.

But his performance at Stamford Bridge was a reminder of his best, pinning Davide Zappacosta in his own half and providing Roma’s front men some wonderful service with his cultured left foot as well as getting their opening goal.

Following Benjamin Mendy’s injury and the dalliance with Danilo and Fabian Delph at left-back, you have to wonder if some City fans would still like to see the Serbian in their squad.

Were it not for the sumptuous talents of Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus up top, then they would certainly be missing Eden Dzeko, who continued his wonderful run of form with an even better volley (assist provided by Spurs reject Federico Fazio) and a headed goal shortly afterwards.

Luiz enjoys another mixed night

David Luiz celebrates scoring Chelsea's opener against Roma at Stamford Bridge (Getty Images)

This season has been less convincing than David Luiz’s return last term, with a careless red card against Arsenal and a moment of madness in giving a penalty away against Atletico Madrid both being blotches on his record.

What has never been in doubt is his technical ability and penchant for attacking play. His one standout performance so far this year was in Chelsea’s 2-1 win against Tottenham where he played in the heart of midfield.

Given that role again tonight in N’Golo Kante’s absence, the Brazilian showcased all his talents going forward, opening the scoring with a delightfully struck shot from 25 yards but also spraying some decent passes around

Chelsea’s problem were that they were being overrun in midfield and his removal on the hour mark for Pedro seemed to give Chelsea a better foothold in the game until Dzeko’s volley changed it all.

Hazard and Morata show deeper understanding

Eden Hazard celebrates his second goal for Chelsea (Getty)

The partnership between Eden Hazard and Alvaro Morata, which looked so effective against Atletico Madrid last month, was in action once again on Wednesday night, with a gap of more than 20 yards rarely being seen between them.

The pair, often left isolated from Chelsea’s deep-sitting midfield, were a constant menace every time possession switched hands and were solely responsible for the second goal of the night, linking up nicely after Hazard nicked possession.

With Diego Costa’s exit and Michy Batshuayi’s struggling confidence, despite that winner in Madrid, Chelsea will hope this relationship continues to blossom as the season progresses.

All to play for in Group C

Antonio Conte's men let a two-goal lead slip (Getty)

With Atletico Madrid’s surprising draw away to Qarabag earlier on Wednesday evening, this result leaves both teams’ destinies in their own hands.

These two sides will meet again in the Italian capital in two weeks’ time knowing that a win will hand them firm control of Group C.

Roma will perhaps be the happiest with that scenario, having entered the group stages as third favourites to go through.