Adrian Sherling reporting

Chelsea lost their 42-year unbeaten home record in Europe as Lazio leapt to the top of Group D, increasing the chance of the Blues facing Premiership rivals Manchester United in the quarter-finals.

The Italians looked hungrier throughout and, still needing a victory to become the only Italian side to qualify for the European quarter-finals, they deservedly took the points despite falling to ten men late on.

With the Oscars just around the corner, Kevin Spacey must have been watching the Stamford Bridge competition nervously as Pavel Nedved, Fernando Couto and, most spectacularly, Frank Leboeuf flung themselves to the ground with the merest of help.

You may argue that English players would not be a part of such poor sportsmanship, but with no Brits on show for either side, due to Dennis Wises injury, Chelsea became embroiled in the play-acting.

Referee Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira was having a difficult time dealing with the acrobatic antics of both teams. He was forced to deal out a spate of yellow cards, most notably to Leboeuf, who will miss the Blues next European game.

Lazio had the best of the chances, but goalkeeping Goliath Ed de Goey made several saves from last weeks four-goal hero Simone Inzaghi.

The nippy striker should have done better on 35 minutes however, when de Goey spilt Sinisa Mihajlovics stunning free-kick. Inzaghi was first to the ball, just six yards out, but could not make the vital touch.

Chelseas opener, a minute before the interval, was another of Gus Poyets stunners. The Uruguayan hit a 25-yard thunderbolt which curled beyond Luca Marchegianis reach.

The Blues first-half clean sheet appeared to be more by luck than judgement, as Leboeuf and fellow Frenchman Marcel Desailly, continually dawdled on the ball inside their own area, allowing Lazio free attempts at goal.

One sensed that if you give one of Europes top teams this many chances, they would eventually take one, and sure enough, Inzaghi reached Nedveds cross before Desailly and tapped the ball home from a yard out.

One other thing that was clear was that Mihajlovic does not need too many set piece chances to make one count. Having forced de Goey into a tricky save in the first-half, the Yugoslavian launched a 66th minute effort from close to the corner flag, which curled majestically inside the far post to put the Italians ahead.

Portuguese defender Fernando Couto was given his marching orders after picking up a second yellow card for a tackle on Tore Andre Flo that was so late the Norwegian was virtually boarding the team bus home, but Lazio held on to claim the points.

Chelsea: De Goey, Ferrer, Desailly, Leboeuf (Hogh 61), Babayaro (Harley 73), Petrescu, Di Matteo (Morris 73), Deschamps, Poyet, Flo, Zola.
Subs Not Used: Cudicini, Sutton, Ambrosetti, Thome.
Booked: Di Matteo, Leboeuf, Flo.
Goals: Poyet 44.

Lazio: Marchegiani, Negro, Couto, Mihajlovic, Pancaro, Stankovic (Boksic 46), Veron, Simeone, Almeyda, Nedved, Inzaghi (Salas 67), Salas (Gottardi 87).
Subs Not Used: Ballotta, Sensini, Conceicao, Mancini.
Sent Off: Couto (83).
Booked: Couto, Pancaro, Salas.
Goals: Inzaghi 54, Mihajlovic 66.

Att: 34,260
Ref: Vitor Manuel Melo Pereira (Portugal).