The leading EPL teams returned to Champions League action this week with Chelsea travelling to Rome on Tuesday where they suffered a first defeat in this year’s competition, going down to a 3-nil defeat to Roma who scored through a brace from Stephan El Shaarowy and another from Diego Perotti, who now lead their group, a point ahead of Chelsea, though both should qualify for the knock out stage unless Atletico Madrid rediscover their form against both sides in their remaining fixtures.
Manchester United entertained Portugal’s Benfica, and eventually collected their fourth consecutive group stage victory 2-nil, courtesy of a late first half goals when Nemandja Matic’s shot had rebounded into the net from the back of goalkeeper Mile Svilar after hitting the post, and a second half Daley Blind penalty, the kicker having been nominated after Anthony Martial had had a first half penalty saved by keeper Svilar, and are now through to the group stage, and requiring a solitary point from their last two games to go through as group winners. While Scotland’s Celtic bowed out with a 1-2 home defeat in their return with Bayern Munich, with Callum Mcgregor’s equaliser sandwiched by the opener from Munich’s Kingsley Coman, and Javi Martinez’s winner.
