Charles De Ketelaere delivered a late blow to Chelsea’s hopes of climbing into the Champions League top eight as Atalanta claimed a 2 to 1 victory that pushed the Italian side into third place in the league phase.
The Belgian forward created Gianluca Scamacca’s equaliser before scoring the decisive goal seven minutes from time, leaving Chelsea three points adrift of their opponents with two matches remaining.
Atalanta began with purpose and should have taken the lead after only six minutes. Ademola Lookman’s angled effort squeezed beneath Robert Sanchez, but De Ketelaere was unable to adjust quickly enough to convert the rebound.
Chelsea responded in the 25th minute when Reece James delivered a cross from the left for Joao Pedro to guide a first time finish past Marco Carnesecchi. The assistant raised his flag, but the goal was awarded after a VAR review.
James almost added a second shortly after the restart, dragging a shot narrowly wide. Atalanta replied immediately as Lookman tapped in from close range, though his effort was ruled offside.
The hosts found their leveller in the 55th minute when De Ketelaere swung a precise cross to the far post for Scamacca, who rose above his marker and powered a header into the net.
Scamacca threatened again seven minutes later, rising to glance a header toward the corner, only for Sanchez to produce an excellent save.
Chelsea could not escape the growing pressure and De Ketelaere struck the winner with a heavy drive that took a deflection off Marc Cucurella before beating Sanchez.
Carnesecchi preserved the lead in the final minutes, turning away efforts from Alejandro Garnacho and Joao Pedro.
The win strengthens Atalanta’s position, while Chelsea face a tightening race to secure a top eight finish.
