Joao Pedro scored a 21-minute brace to rescue from an imminent loss and secure automatic qualification into the UCL RO16
Chelsea and Napoli both needed a win in this fixture and from the get-go, it was going to be a very tough fixture. The game delivered everything that it promised and for Chelsea, it also delivered the three points.
Chelsea dominated from the onset and while they failed to really create chances in the opening exchanges, they took the lead through an Enzo Fernandez in the 19th minute.
But after that penalty, the intensity seemed to drop and they allowed Napoli back into the game. Napoli easily beat Chelsea’s press and overloaded the left flank with Sanchez having to save his team’s blushes.
However, Sanchez couldn’t do anything about Vergara’s strike in the 33rd minute as he rode Caicedo’s challenge, spun past Fofana and slotted the ball under Sanchez.
Ten minutes later, Napoli took the lead as Hojlund tapped in from close range to give the depleted Napoli side a shot at the playoffs.
With Napoli in front, Chelsea needed a response because anything but a win will send them out of the top 8. That response came in the 61st minute as Joao Pedro launched a thunderous strike into the top corner.
Having received a pass from substitute Cole Palmer, Joao Pedro flicked the ball past his marker before blazing his shot into the top corner.
With Chelsea on top of proceedings, Liam Rosenior charged his men to secure all three points and in the 82nd minute, Chelsea got their winner.
Once again, Joao Pedro and Palmer combined and the Brazilian forward charged at goal and shot the ball hard and low past the keeper.
The game had a nervy ending as Sanchez had to make a snap save to deny Romelu Lukaku from close range.
At the sound of full-time, Chelsea officially secured an automatic place in the top 8 and avoided the playoff phase.
Napoli, on the other hand, are eliminated from the UEFA Champions League and Conte will have to focus on dealing with his injury crisis and getting his team back on track in Serie A.
