Chelsea thrash Lazio 4-0 in Rome in 2003 Champions League

Chelsea announced their arrival as a European force with a 4-0 win over Lazio at the Stadio Olimpico in 2003. The result came in the club's second Champions League campaign, which had started with mixed results.

Chelsea had snatched a late winner against Sparta in Prague before losing at home to Besiktas. A come-from-behind victory over Lazio at Stamford Bridge preceded the return fixture in Rome a fortnight later.

Nearly 50,000 spectators filled the stadium, including several thousand travelling Chelsea supporters. Claudio Ranieri's side produced a commanding performance in front of them.

Hernan Crespo, a prolific Serie A scorer before joining Chelsea, put the team ahead at the quarter-hour mark. Early in the second half, Sinisa Mihajlovic was sent off, leaving Lazio with a man fewer.

Chelsea made their numerical advantage count, scoring three goals in ten minutes. Eidur Gudjohnsen, Damien Duff and Frank Lampard found the net, sealing a win that drew attention across Europe.

The club went on to reach the semi-finals, where they were knocked out by Monaco in a painful exit.