•Chelsea striker Joao Pedro (C) celebrates goal against Napoli with defender Wesley Fofana (R), yesterday
Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the last 16 of the Champions League with the winning brace in yesterday’s 3-2 win at Napoli, which secured a top-eight finish and eliminated his team’s Italian hosts.
Brazil forward Pedro lashed home two brilliant goals in the second half in Naples as Chelsea came back from a goal behind at half-time and finished the league phase in style, reports AFP.
Chelsea looked set for a play-off spot at the break as injury-ravaged Napoli, who had to win to stay in the competition, led through goals from Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund.
But Pedro smashed Chelsea level in the 61st minute and then gave the away side a huge win with eight minutes remaining from Cole Palmer’s pass.
His goals continued Liam Rosenior’s impressive start as Chelsea boss, with five wins from his first six matches in the dugout at the London club.
Chelsea’s only defeat in that run was a close defeat to Premier League leaders Arsenal in the English League Cup, and the Blues showed fight and composure to win in a hostile atmosphere in Naples.
Napoli were missing a host of potential starters, including long-term absentees Kevin De Bruyne and Andre-Frank Anguissa, and exit the Champions League with a brave performance at the end of a deeply disappointing European campaign.
Antonio Conte’s team were applauded off the field at the final whistle in appreciation for Napoli’s courageous but vain attempt to stay in Europe’s top club competition.
