Chelsea dumped former boss Antonio Conte’s Napoli out of Europe, winning 3-2 in Italy to progress to the Champions League round of 16.
Enzo Fernandez opened the scoring for the visitors on 19 minutes before Antonio Vergara’s moment of quality and Rasmus Hojlund to complete a first-half turnaround. put the hosts ahead in the 43rd minute.
Joao Pedro then scored twice to send the Londoners through to the next stage of the competition at the Italian side’s expense, faced with seven first team absences.
As it happened
Antonio Conte could only name seven substitutes on the Napoli bench, including two goalkeepers, with the visitors starting with a strong back three of Marc Cucurella, Wesley Fofana and Reece James.
Liam Rosenior’s side started on top and got the opener after 19 minutes after Juan Jesus was deemed to have used his hand inside the box to stop James’ free-kick and Fernandez stepped up to convert fire the penalty into the bottom corner.
Napoli equalised shortly after with a brilliant goal from Vergara, executing a Maradona-esque turn in the penalty area to get past Fofana before slotting past Robert Sanchez.
The hosts then got in front three minutes before half-time when Hojlund found space in the box to slam home Mathias Olivera’s low cross.
Brazilian striker Pedro had the opportunity to level the game almost immediately but he could not get his header within the 18 yard box on target.
But the former Brighton player did equalise for Chelsea after a slow start to the second half.
An intelligent flick on the edge of the box gave him the room he needed to rifle past Alex Meret.
And he bagged his brace with eight minutes of regular time left, as he was played in behind by Cole Palmer.
Opting not to use the help of oncoming substitute Alejandro Garnacho, he took the shot on himself to beat Meret once again.
Romelu Lukaku almost ruined his former club’s evening as he took aim from close range after Garnacho was dispossessed just outside the box, but Sanchez crucially denied him.
It ultimately ensured Chelsea’s automatic progression to the Champions League knockouts with 16 points from eight league phase matches.
As for Napoli, the home defeat marks a European campaign they’ll want to swiftly forget.
