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Two sublime strikes from Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the Champions League round of 16 as they finished sixth in the league phase table after a 3-2 win at Napoli.
The Blues were in a precarious position heading into the final game – only in the top eight on goal difference as they looked to avoid two additional games in the knockout play-offs.
Chelsea made a perfect start when they were awarded an early penalty. Juan Jesus was penalised for handball from a Blues free-kick, and despite his protests, it stood as Enzo Fernandez lined it up.
He then used all of his power to send the ball past Alex Meret – but the setback seemed to rouse Napoli into life.
They started to overrun Chelsea in the hunt for an equaliser, which deservedly came just after half an hour. It was Maradona-esque from hometown boy Antonio Vergara as he charged into the box, spinning past Wesley Fofana before slotting home.
And just before the break, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund smashed Napoli ahead, getting across the front of Fofana before hammering home.
Chelsea had set up with a three at the back in Naples, with Liam Rosenior attempting to take on the 3-4-3 master Antonio Conte at his own game.
But it was clear by half-time the tactics were not working. Cole Palmer was introduced at the break, but there was no change of shape, which Sky Sports’ Paul Merson said was ‘not a good move’.
“It’s not the substitution, it’s the system they should have changed,” he added on Soccer Special.
Antonio Vergara celebrates after equalising for Napoli against Chelsea
Eventually, with the introduction of Jamie Gittens and Trevoh Chalobah in the 59th minute, Chelsea finally reverted to a back four and perhaps it was no surprise that mere minutes later, the Blues equalised.
It was the first of two wonderful goals from Pedro, who skipped the ball around his defender before thundering the ball home from the top of the area.
Rasmus Hojlund celebrates after giving Napoli a 2-1 lead against Chelsea
From then on, Chelsea looked far more comfortable and won it with eight minutes of normal time to play. It was another clinical finish from Pedro, finishing low past Meret, and the goalkeeper could only watch the ball roll past his weak outstretched foot.
It was the Blues’ first Champions League away win of the season and they finished with 16 points and ahead of Sporting and Manchester City. Chelsea will not play in Europe again until March and will face one of Qarabag, Monaco, Newcastle or PSG.
For Napoli though, it is a disaster of a European campaign as they are knocked out in the league phase. Their entire season has been decimated by injuries, but there is shock as to how the Serie A champions have finished 30th out of 36 teams.
How do CL knockout fixtures fit into Chelsea’s schedule?
- Saturday January 31 – West Ham (h), Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- Tuesday February 3 – Arsenal (a), Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
- Saturday February 7 – Wolves (a), Premier League, 3pm
- Tuesday February 10 – Leeds (h), Premier League, 7.30pm
- Friday February 13 – Hull (a), FA Cup, 7.45pm
- Saturday February 21 – Burnley (h), Premier League, 3pm
- Sunday March 1 – Arsenal (a), Premier League, 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- Wednesday March 4 – Aston Villa (a), Premier League, 7.30pm
- March 10/11 – Champions League round of 16 first leg
- Saturday March 14 – Newcastle (h), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
- March 17/18 – Champions League round of 16 second leg
- Saturday March 21 – Everton (a), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
