Joao Pedro scores twice as Chelsea beat Napoli 3-2 away to secure a top-eight finish and reach the Champions League last 16
JOAO Pedro fired Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with a brace in a 3-2 win at Napoli. The victory secured a top-eight finish and eliminated their Italian opponents.
The Brazil forward lashed home two brilliant goals in the second half as Chelsea came from behind. The Blues finished the league phase in sixth place.
Chelsea looked set for a play-off spot at the break as injury-ravaged Napoli led 2-1. Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund scored for the hosts, who needed a win to stay in the competition.
Joao Pedro smashed Chelsea level in the 61st minute. He then gave the away side a huge win with eight minutes remaining from Cole Palmer’s pass.
“The coach said to try to be calm, and to try and put our game on the pitch,” said Joao Pedro. “The second half of the game was more open.”
He added that the win was a positive response to doubters. “I think today we showed our power.”
Joao Pedro’s goals continued Liam Rosenior’s impressive start as Chelsea boss. The Blues have won five of his first six matches in charge.
Chelsea’s only defeat in that run was a narrow loss to Premier League leaders Arsenal. The Blues showed fight and composure to win in a hostile atmosphere in Naples.
“You’re in the Champions League, so you have to beat the best,” said Rosenior. “Whoever we play next, we’ll give it our best shot.”
Napoli were missing a host of potential starters, including long-term absentees Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa. They exit the Champions League after a deeply disappointing European campaign.
Antonio Conte’s team were applauded off the field at the final whistle. The home fans appreciated their courageous, but vain attempt to stay in Europe’s top club competition.
“The difference was how the chances created by both teams were taken,” Conte told reporters. “It’s disappointing because we put in a big performance today.”
Napoli were livid at the awarding of the penalty from which Enzo Fernandez gave Chelsea the lead in the ninth minute. The decision, for a Juan Jesus handball, galvanised the Italian champions.
The hosts immediately piled pressure on Chelsea. A magical solo effort from Vergara brought Napoli level in the 33rd minute.
Vergara, a Napoli academy product, charged off the pitch in joy at his first goal for his boyhood club. The 23-year-old was only playing due to Napoli’s chronic injury problems.
Ten minutes later Hojlund smashed home Mathias Olivera’s low cross. This sent the stadium into bedlam and gave Napoli a halftime lead.
Pushed on by the crowd, Napoli continued in the same vein after the break. The ground was stunned into silence by Joao Pedro’s rocket of a strike which levelled the match.
His second goal was a powerful low finish after charging almost unopposed into the Napoli area. It served as the knockout blow for the hosts.
