There were no answers to Chelsea’s search for consistency here. Instead there was a late, potentially damaging defeat that leaves them staring down the barrel of a February playoff for the last 16, along with further suggestions they lack what it takes to face down a tough away assignment at this level.

Enzo Maresca’s side looked well set when João Pedro scored against the run of play after 25 minutes. Atalanta had begun to flounder before Gianluca Scamacca’s leveller but grew in strength and Chelsea sank when Charles De Ketelaere drove in seven minutes from time, completing a torrid week on the road.

There were no answers to Chelsea’s search for consistency here. Instead there was a late, potentially damaging defeat that leaves them staring down the barrel of a February playoff for the last 16, along with further suggestions they lack what it takes to face down a tough away assignment at this level.

Enzo Maresca’s side looked well set when João Pedro scored against the run of play after 25 minutes. Atalanta had begun to flounder before Gianluca Scamacca’s leveller but grew in strength and Chelsea sank when Charles De Ketelaere drove in seven minutes from time, completing a torrid week on the road.

There were no answers to Chelsea’s search for consistency here. Instead there was a late, potentially damaging defeat that leaves them staring down the barrel of a February playoff for the last 16, along with further suggestions they lack what it takes to face down a tough away assignment at this level.

Enzo Maresca’s side looked well set when João Pedro scored against the run of play after 25 minutes. Atalanta had begun to flounder before Gianluca Scamacca’s leveller but grew in strength and Chelsea sank when Charles De Ketelaere drove in seven minutes from time, completing a torrid week on the road.