Chelsea threw away their opportunity to finish atop of their group and avoid heavyweights in the knockout stage of the Champions League after they were held to a thrilling 3-3 draw by Zenit St. Petersburg in Russia.
The defending champions needed to better the result of second place Juventus on the night to ensure they finish first in the group, but failed to do so, despite taking the lead early on through Timo Werner.
Zenit replied with two goals from Claudinho and Sarddar Azmoun to dent the Blues hopes before the returning Romelu Lukaku and Werner again struck late on in the game to restore Chelsea's lead, but the hosts would have the final say with a last gasp equalizer from Magomed Ozdoyev.
Romelu Lukaku had been missing in action for the visitors since the beginning of October and Thomas Tuchel threw him in from the start as they looked to finish the group stage strong.
They took the lead from the early pressure two minutes in after Saul Niguez, who played at left wing-back won a corner. Andreas Christensen from the resulting corner flicked the ball at the near post for Werner to tap into an empty net.
The hosts went closest in the 26th minute when Claudinho, who was a thorn in the flesh of Chelsea on the night played Malcom in on goal. The former Barcelona player's effort was thwarted by Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Chelsea broke on a counterattack after Saul blocked a shot from Daler Kuzyayev. The ball ended up with Lukaku, who whipped in a cross for Mason Mount, but his header was saved by Mikhail Kerzhakov.
The hosts would then strike with two goals in quick succession close to the break. Douglas Santos sending in a cross from the left side after a poorly cleared ball by Chelsea. Claudinho popped up at the near post to send a rising header past Arrizabalaga.
Three minutes later, Malcom sent a defence-splitting pass to release Sardar Azmoun on goal. The Iranian rounded Arrizabalaga before slotting into an empty net to turn the tables in his team's favour. He almost got his brace seconds later, but for a brilliant save by the goalkeeper.
Kerzhakov needed to make telling saves to keep his team ahead. Saving a long range curler from Ross Barkley and an angled shot from Saul.
The equaliser came from the boots of Lukaku two minutes after the hour mark after a passage of quick interchange between Werner and Barkley. Werner out on the inside right squared to Lukaku, who controls, fending off the challenge of a defender and slotted into an empty net.
With five minutes left on the clock and with Juventus leading in the other fixture, Chelsea knew what they needed to do and took the lead that sent them back to the summit of the group. Christian Pulisic plays Werner in among bodies of Zenit defenders and the German found a way to slot his shot beneath Kerzhakov.
It was not to be for Chelsea as Zenit had the last laugh. Artem Dzuyba had won a long ball in the Chelsea half, which was gathered by Claudinho, who sends the ball into the Chelsea box and it was cleared by Malang Sarr, but only as far as Ozyadev, who sent a magnificent volley into the top corner.
Concluding Thoughts
While Zenit would be proud to have scored against and held the defending champions, they also continued their fine run against English oppositions in the competition as they remain unbeaten, having won the previous two before the draw with Chelsea.
It is troubling times for Thomas Tuchel and some quarters believe perhaps, he's strarting to feel the heat.
His side have conceded six goals in their last two matches and the three they conceded against Zenit is as much they conceded in their last 12 Champions League games.
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