Two superb strikes from Joao Pedro sent Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League as they finished sixth in the league table following a 3-2 win over Napoli.
The Blues were in a precarious position heading into the final game – just inside the top eight on goal difference as they sought to avoid two more games in the knockout play-offs.
Chelsea got off to a great start when they were awarded an early penalty. Juan Jesus was penalized for handball from the Blues’ free-kick, and despite his protests, Enzo Fernandez set him up.
He then used all his might to send the ball past Alex Merrett – but the failure seemed to spark Napoli into life.
They began to run over Chelsea in search of an equaliser, which deservedly came after half an hour. It was Maradona style from hometown boy Antonio Vergara as he burst into the pits, spinning past Wesley Fofana before slotting home.
And just before the break, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hoylund broke through Napoli, slotting past Fofana before slotting home.
Enzo Fernandez celebrates after scoring a penalty to give Chelsea the lead against Napoli
Chelsea set up a back three in Napoli, with Liam Rosenior looking to challenge Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 master in his own game.
But by halftime it was clear the tactic wasn’t working. Cole Palmer was introduced at the break but there was no change in form, which ski sports Paul Merson said it was “not a good move”.
“It’s not a replacement, it’s a system they should have changed,” he added Soccer Special.
Antonio Vergara celebrates after equalizing for Napoli against Chelsea
Eventually, the introduction of Jamie Gittens and Trevoh Chalobah in the 59th minute saw Chelsea finally back to four and it was perhaps no surprise that just minutes later the Blues equalised.
It was the first of two wonderful goals from Pedro, who skipped the ball around his defender before firing into the net from the top of the penalty area.
Rasmus Hojlund celebrates after Napoli take a 2-1 lead against Chelsea
Chelsea looked much more comfortable from then on and won it with eight minutes of normal time to play. It was another clinical finish from Pedro, who finished low past Merrett and the keeper could only watch as the ball rolled past his feeble outstretched leg.
It was the Blues’ first away win in the Champions League this season and they finished with 16 points ahead of both Sporting and Manchester City. Chelsea will not play in Europe again until March and will face Qarabag, Monaco, Newcastle or PSG.
For Napoli, it is a disaster in the European campaign as they were relegated in the league stage. Their entire season was decimated by injuries, but it was a shock that the Serie A champions finished 30th out of 36 teams.
How do the knockout matches fit into Chelsea’s schedule?
- Saturday, January 31 – West Ham (h), Premier League, kick-off 5:30 p.m., live Ski Sports
- Tuesday, February 3 – Arsenal (a), Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, kick-off 8 p.m., live Ski Sports
- Saturday, February 7 – Vukov (a), Premier League, 3 p.m
- Tuesday, February 10 – Leeds (h), Premier League, 19.30
- Friday, February 13 – Hull (a), FA Cup, 19.45
- Saturday, February 21 – Burnley (h), Premier League, 3 p.m
- Sunday, March 1 – Arsenal (a), Premier League, 16.30, live Ski Sports
- Wednesday, March 4 – Aston Villa (a), Premier League, 7:30 p.m
- 10/11. March – the first match of the round of 16 of the Champions League
- Saturday, March 14 – Newcastle (h), Premier League, 17.30, live Ski Sports
- March 17/18 – second leg of the round of 16 of the Champions League
- Saturday, March 21 – Everton (a), Premier League, 17.30, live Ski Sports