Chelsea’s chances of qualifying automatically for the Champions League knockouts took a hit after Atalanta came from behind to beat them in Bergamo. Both teams started the match with the same record and the same number of points, and the game was tight for long periods.
Chelsea went ahead in the first half when Joao Pedro finished off a Reece James cross. But Atalanta kept causing problems going forward, especially through Ademola Lookman. In the second half Chelsea missed a good chance, and Atalanta increased the pressure, eventually equalising through Gianluca Scamacca’s header.
Alejandro Garnacho tested the keeper for Chelsea, but Atalanta struck again late on when Charles de Ketelaere was given too much space and fired in the winner. Chelsea pushed for an equaliser, but Marco Carnesecchi made a brilliant save to deny Pedro.
The defeat drops Chelsea down to 11th place, outside the top eight spots needed for automatic qualification to the knockouts. Atalanta climb to third, three points ahead with two league phase games left.
