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John Terry’s second-half header finally broke Roma’s stubborn resistance as Chelsea moved three points clear at the top of Champions League group A.

1-0 J.Terry 77′

The Blues, who lacked fluency and rhythm, almost took the lead when Frank Lampard’s free-kick clipped the post.

Roma’s best chance came when Francesco Totti played in Matteo Brighi but Terry blocked as the striker went to shoot.

And it took Terry’s intervention at the other end, when he nodded in Lampard’s corner, to secure the win for Chelsea.

The hosts’ performance was a far cry from the attacking brilliance that subjected Middlesbrough to a hammering at the weekend.

But with Roma determined to stifle the game, Chelsea keeper Peter Cech and centre-back Ricardo Carvalho both had a gentle re-introduction to the first team on their return from injury.