Chelsea’s hopes of progressing automatically to the knockout round of the Champions League have been dealt a blow as Atalanta came from a goal down to triumph in Bergamo.
Both teams went into this match with the same records in the league phase of this term’s tournament, having won three, drawn one and lost one to sit on 10 points.
For large parts there was little to separate them in this game, too, although Chelsea got their noses in front when Joao Pedro turned in Reece James’ cross.
But Atalanta always looked a threat going forwards, with Ademola Lookman causing problems.
Atalanta equalised when Gianluca Scamacca headed in a cross.
Alejandro Garnacho drove a strong effort straight at the goalkeeper but Atalanta got the winner late on when Chelsea defence backed off Charles de Ketelaere, who took full advantage with a driven strike.
Chelsea tried to rescue a point late on but a superb save by Marco Carnesecchi denied Pedro.
The result means Chelsea drop out of the top eight – the places that qualify automatically for the knockouts – to 11th with two league phase games remaining.
Atalanta climb to third, three points more than Chelsea.
