Napoli 2-3 Chelsea: Joao Pedro double sends Chelsea through

Joao Pedro hit a stunning double as Chelsea rallied to knock Napoli out of the Champions League and secure a place in the last 16.

The Blues looked like they were heading into next month’s playoff round with a point from a fine end-to-end game.

But former Brighton striker Pedro rattled in the winner to send Chelsea up to sixth place and a direct place through to the last 16.

Enzo Fernandez put them ahead from the spot but Antonio Conte’s current side led at the break.

Antonio Vergara span inside the penalty area to poke home before former Manchester United man Rasmuus Hojlund slammed in off the post.

Chelsea introduced Cole Palmer at the break and he was involved in teeing up Pedro for a sensational left-footed shot from range.

That knocked Napoli out of the top 24 places in the Champions League and Pedro’s fine second – from another Palmer assist – finished the job.

After Chelsea’s early penalty they were forced back. A botched clearance from Andrey Santos in the right-back position went nowhere but straight into Napoli’s possession in midfield.

Mathias Olivera nodded the ball up to Vergara, who drove into the box then pirouetted by Wesley Fofana with balletic poise before beating Robert Sanchez via the post.

More wide open spaces then appeared inside the penalty area for Olivera to exploit, gliding onto the ball with bags of room to pick out Hojlund, who got in front of Fofana and scored with a first-time finish.

Blues boss Liam Rosenior sent on Palmer at the break for some creative energy but it was Pedro who found the moment of genius to level things. His strike from 25 yards into the top corner was his best since joining Chelsea and potentially a valuable one.

Now it was Chelsea’s turn to dominate and probe for the goal that would give them command of their European fate.

It duly arrived, Pedro making himself a Blues hero to send them through.