6 days ago
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NAPOLI 2-3 CHELSEA: The full Blues player ratings from the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona as Liam Rosenior's side qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League
Joao Pedro was the hero as Chelsea fought back in the second-half against Napoli to secure a place in the Champions League knockout stages.
Enzo Fernandez gave the Blues the advantage on 18 minutes from the penalty spot after Juan Jesus was penalised for a handball inside the Napoli box. Antonio Vergara levelled the match, though, not too long after with a wonderful solo goal to put all the pressure back on Chelsea.
Rasmus Hojlund then put Napoli ahead with a smart finish just a few minutes before the half-time whistle. On the hour-mark, though, Chelsea were level through Joao Pedro's outstanding strike from around 25 yards.
The Brazil international then sent the away section at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona into bedlam with a fine finish into the bottom corner with just eight minutes of normal time remaining. Below, Bobby Vincent rates the Chelsea players based on their performance in Naples:
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Robert Sanchez
A big night for the Spanish goalkeeper. A great hand to block a low cross from the left-hand side not long after Fernandez opened the scoring. Good save shortly after to deny Giovanni Di Lorenzo with his feet. Not sure he could have done anything, really, about the goals. 6.
Reece James
Starting in an unusual role this evening, at the right of a back three. Made a really good covering run to prevent a Napoli attack in the opening minutes and that would have undoubtedly given him confidence. On 23 minutes, the captain produced a fine block to deny Mathias Olivera from probably scoring from close range. Played well in a slightly unorthodox role. 6.
Wesley Fofana
The only recognised centre-back in the side. Defended well but turned the ball over way too much. For Napoli's equaliser on 33 minutes, Fofana was turned way too easily by Vergara, who then found a way to beat Sanchez. He then has a big role in Chelsea conceding Hojlund's goal, with the former Manchester United striker getting in front of the Frenchman far too easily at the near post before smashing the ball past Sanchez. 4.
Marc Cucurella
Took up the left-hand side of a back three for Chelsea. Great one-on-one defending early on to prevent Leonardo Spinazzola getting in behind. Not able to make too much of an impact in attacking positions. 6.
Malo Gusto
Gusto got himself into some dangerous attacking positions down the right-hand side, but at times, he was too wasteful with his final pass. 5.
Moises Caicedo
Chelsea needed him to be the best version of himself. He wasn't that, unfortunately, but it was by no means a disastrous performance from the Ecuadorian. 6.
Andrey Santos
Santos was not a conventional defender but was doing a lot of defensive work to help the back three in Naples. The Brazilian, however, gifted the Italian side possession back for their equaliser on 33 minutes. A costly giveaway brings his rating down. 5.
Estevao Willian
A couple of glimpses for Estevao but he was a bit too quiet for Chelsea's liking when trying to support Joao Pedro. Not his night, unfortunately. 5.
Enzo Fernandez
Fernandez showed nerves of steel from the penalty spot in such a high-pressured scenario. There was absolutely no doubting that he would score from 12 yards. Apart from that, he looked the most likely in a black shirt. 7.
Pedro Neto
Played in a more disciplined role on the left-hand side and helped the back three whenever he could. Couldn't influence the game in an attacking sense. Hooked at half-time. 5.
Joao Pedro
A quiet game up until the hour-mark where he rifled the ball into the top corner from 25 yards. Left-footed, straight into the roof of the net. Fantastic from Joao Pedro. The Brazil international then 8.
Cole Palmer (on for Neto 46')
No surprise to see Liam Rosenior call to Palmer at the break. Played on the right-hand side. Chelsea just kept giving the ball to their No.10 to try and make something happen. And that he did. Palmer produced the two assists for Joao Pedro. Albeit both of them still required the Brazilian to produce magic. 7.
Trevoh Chalobah (on for Gusto 59')
Came on with around half an hour to go as Chelsea changed their shape. Crucial block to stop Spinazzola's cross on 69 minutes. 6.
Jamie Gittens (on for Santos 59')
Brought into the action on the left-hand side to try and bring an attacking threat for the Blues. Not able to impact the game too much. Subbed to get another defender on. 6.
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Estevao 74')
Brought on to add some fresh legs in the Chelsea attack. Didn't see too much of the ball. 6.
Benoit Badiashile (on for Gittens 90')
On to help see the game out. N/A.
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