Rome , Italy (AFP) — Stephan El Shaarawy scored a brace as AS Roma mauled Chelsea 3-0 to claim top spot in Champions League Group C yesterday at the expense of the English champions.

The rematch in Rome’s Stadio Olympico after a 3-3 thriller in London two weeks ago did not disappoint the 55,000 crowd in Rome as Chelsea coach Antonio Conte was frustrated on his return to Italy.

El Shaarawy rifled in two first-half goals — the first after less than a minute and the second nine minutes before the break — with Argentine Diego Perotti adding a third on 63 minutes.

A second win in four games moves the Romans closer to the last 16, thwarting Chelsea who had been hoping to seal a spot in the knockout rounds with two games to go.

Eusebio Di Francesco’s side now have eight points from four games, one point ahead of Chelsea, with Atletico Madrid third on three points after being held 1-1 by Qarabag.

Conte’s Chelsea were a shadow of the team that played at Stamford Bridge earlier this month.

French midfielder N’Golo Kante, who has just returned from a hamstring injury, was left out by Conte, along with Nigerian Victor Moses as Greek defender Kostas Manolas started on the bench for Roma.

El Shaarawy and Perotti backed up Edin Dzeko in the Roma attack with Chelsea counting on the trident of Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morato and Pedro.

It was the third straight defeat for Chelsea in Italy, with their last win back in 2003 over Lazio.

Roma next travel to Atletico Madrid with Chelsea facing the long trip to Qarabag in Azerbaijan.