Chelsea's strong start to the season continued with victory over Roma in the Women's Champions League.

Sonia Bompastor's side have two wins and a draw from their opening three league phase matches and remain unbeaten in all competitions this season.

It was not a clinical display but Chelsea did more than enough to earn their victory, creating numerous chances and dominating play.

Substitute Ellie Carpenter provided the opening goal, coming on at half-time and slotting the ball past goalkeeper Rachele Baldi six minutes later.

She was one of four players left out of the starting XI as Bompastor rotated and managed her squad effectively, making changes early in the second half.

It had the desired impact as Chelsea got their noses in front and were comfortable holding on to their lead against a stubborn, but quiet Roma side.

They confirmed victory with a minute left when defender Kadeisha Buchanan headed in a Wieke Kaptein corner.

Before Carpenter's goal, Chelsea had several chances to score including a cross from Alyssa Thompson that was tipped on to the crossbar.

England striker Aggie Beever-Jones also failed to take advantage when she was played in behind by goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, while Melvine Malard fired wide in the second half and Lauren James had an effort saved.

The result kept Chelsea in a promising position to qualify for the knockout stages, having already come away from giants Lyon with a point last month.

It's been a positive start to the season for Chelsea, who remain unbeaten in all competitions and sit level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Women's Super League table.

But they have been tested in their opening league phase matches in the Champions League after navigating the qualifying stage.

They have come up against well-organised defences, who have often sat back in low blocks and asked questions of their creativity.

It is testament to Chelsea's ability to grind out results that they come away from round three with an unbeaten record still intact and remaining in a strong position to progress.

Bompastor admitted this week the Champions League "is at a different level" and her side were made to work again by Roma.

Chelsea performed well in the first half, creating numerous opportunities through James and Thompson in particular, while Kaptein skewed an effort over from close range.

They pinned Roma inside their own half - only a mistake by Veerle Buurman allowed visiting captain Giada Greggi to break, but Erin Cuthbert made an excellent sliding block to kill the move.

Goalkeeper Hampton was also in good form, spraying dangerous passes into the opposition half, setting up Beever-Jones with a glorious chance that she couldn't take, and constantly breaking through Roma's midfield with piercing balls from inside her box.

A lack of clinical edge was the only thing missing, but Bompastor still had big names to introduce off the bench and Carpenter had an instant impact when the Australian came on for her 50th appearance in the competition.

Chelsea might have been frustrated the scoreline did not reflect their superiority, but Buchanan's goal rounded off a comfortable evening at Plough Lane.

The Blues are starting to build some real momentum and look like a team who will be tough to beat this season.