With Roma happy for a point, Terry headed home from a Frank Lampard corner with 13 minutes remaining to finally break the Italian resistance and secure a 1-0 victory for the Blues.

The goal came at a cost, with the England defender left groggy and unable to celebrate his first goal of the season, although he did get up to continue playing.

In a low-key first half, Lampard's chance came when a rare attacking drive from John Mikel Obi brought a booking for Philippe Mexes as he brought the Nigerian crashing down on the edge of the penalty area.

Lampard stepped up but saw his effort cannon into the crowd after smashing against the angle of upright and crossbar.

It was the nearest either side had come to breaking the stalemate until Terry's late strike.

Chelsea coach Luiz Felipe Scolari welcomed back goalkeeper Petr Cech and defender Ricardo Carvalho after injury.

Deco was given a starting role in midfield with Nicolas Anelka a lone attacker at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge, Kalou, Lampard, Mikel, Malouda, Deco, Anelka.
Subs: Cudicini, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Ferreira, Alex, Belletti, Stoch.

Roma: Doni, Panucci, Cicinho, Mexes, Aquilani, Vucinic, Totti, Taddei, De Rossi, Riise, Brighi.
Subs: Artur, Loria, Perrotta, Tonetto, Montella, Menez, Okaka Chuka.

Referee: Kyros Vassaras (Greece)