Napoli vs Chelsea: Blues pay former boss Conte no respect in come-from-behind win

Two goals from Joao Pedro were enough for Chelsea to turn the tie around against Napoli as the Blues knocked former manager Antonio Conte out of the Champions League.

The Blues won 3-2 to confirm their place in the UEFA Champions League top eight and claim a straight run to the Round of 16 despite initially going 2-1 down.

After a cagey opening, Chelsea struck first when Juan Jesus was penalised for handball from a Reece James free-kick, allowing Enzo Fernández to calmly convert his fifth penalty of the season past Alex Meret.

Napoli responded positively, applying pressure through Mathías Olivera, and were rewarded when local youngster Antonio Vergara produced a superb Maradona turn before slotting home his first senior goal for the club to equalise. Just before half-time, Napoli completed the turnaround as Rasmus Højlund finished off Olivera’s low cross to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.

The second half began in measured fashion, with both sides sitting in play-off positions. Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior introduced Cole Palmer to add impetus, and the visitors soon found an equaliser through Pedro, who fired a stunning strike into the top corner.

With Napoli needing another goal to secure a top-eight place, former Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku came on for his 800th career appearance. However, it was Chelsea who struck again, as Pedro completed a solo run with a composed finish to make it 3-2 late on.

Napoli pushed for a response, but Robert Sánchez denied Lukaku in stoppage time. The result condemned Napoli to Champions League elimination by a single point, while Chelsea secured automatic qualification for the last 16.