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Hazard comes to Chelsea's rescue vs Roma but Conte unhappy

LONDON (AP) - Five months after lifting the Premier League trophy with Chelsea, Antonio Conte isn't happy with his team.

A two-goal lead against Roma was established and then squandered in the Champions League on Wednesday. A 3-3 draw was recovered but Chelsea's susceptibility was exposed, just as it had been in losing its last two Premier League games to high-flying Manchester City and struggling Crystal Palace.

"We gave up too much tonight in terms of ball possession," said Conte, who is in his second season as Chelsea coach. "I go home tonight not being happy ... I didn't like the type of football we did for a long part of the game."

After Edin Dzeko's double had briefly put Roma in front, Eden Hazard headed in his second of the night in the 75th minute to keep Chelsea two points clear of the Italian side at the top of Group C. Atletico Madrid is three points further back after being held 0-0 by newcomer Qarabag, which earned its first point in its third game.

"It was a good result for both teams, but when you are 2-0 up at home you must win the game," Hazard said. "One point is enough today after two defeats, it's not easy to bounce back against a great team but we did."

Chelsea had made a blistering start at Stamford Bridge with David Luiz curling a shot into the bottom corner after 11 minutes. The lead was preserved by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois' right boot denying Radja Nainggolan from close range and Chelsea extended its lead in the 37th.

When Roma conceded possession in the Chelsea half, Hazard used his pace to launch a counterattack. Alvaro Morata was released down the left and the striker weaved through the defense before a deflected shot landed at the feet of Hazard, who was primed to sweep the ball into the net.

Roma pulled one back five minutes before halftime when Aleksandar Kolarov ran onto his own pass past Cesar Azpilicueta and struck past Courtois.

And it was another former Premier League winner with Manchester City player on the scoresheet on his return to England in the 64th when Dzeko unleashed a first-time volley through Courtois' arms after being set up by former Tottenham defender Federico Fazio.

Courtois was beaten again by Dzeko six minutes later as Kolarov and Dzeko combined. Dzeko darted into space between Chelsea defender to meet Kolarov's free kick with a header.

But Hazard came to Chelsea's rescue when headed in Pedro Rodriguez's cross and the hosts clung on for the point while giving manager Conte more concerns about his side's defensive sturdiness.

"I think we suffered with possession, it wasn't easy in the first half despite (the fact) we scored two goals," Conte said. "The change of the system, it wasn't good but when you are in a difficult situation you have to change sometimes, to improvise. I think in the second half we changed, we came back to 3-4-2-1 and the situation changed."

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More AP Champions League coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/ChampionsLeague

Chelsea's David Luiz, right, celebrates with his teammate Alvaro Morata after scoring during the Champions League group C soccer match between Chelsea and Roma at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, second from left, celebrates with his teammates after scoring during the Champions League group C soccer match between Chelsea and Roma at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press
Chelsea's Eden Hazard, left, celebrates after scoring during the Champions League group C soccer match between Chelsea and Roma at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein) The Associated Press
Chelsea's Davide Zappacosta, heads the ball as Roma's Aleksandar Kolarov stands during the Champions League group C soccer match between Chelsea and Roma at Stamford Bridge stadium in London, Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth) The Associated Press
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