The Stadio Diego Armando Maradona witnessed a European thriller on Wednesday as Chelsea clawed their way back from a halftime deficit to defeat Napoli 3-2.
The victory ensures Liam Rosenior’s side progresses to the Champions League knockout stages, overcoming a stern test in one of football’s most intimidating atmospheres.
The Blues took an early lead through an Enzo Fernandez penalty, but the hosts roared back with goals from Antonio Vergara and Rasmus Hojlund.
It took a second-half masterclass from Joao Pedro—and a game-changing substitution in Cole Palmer—to turn the tide and send the traveling Chelsea fans into raptures.
Chelsea Player Ratings
Robert Sanchez (6)
The Spanish shot-stopper was kept busy in a hostile environment. He produced a vital reaction save to deny Giovanni Di Lorenzo and commanded his box well during a heavy period of Napoli pressure. While he conceded twice, he was largely blameless for both clinical finishes.
Reece James (6)
Slotting into a tactical back-three role, the captain showed his versatility. His highlight was a desperate, goal-saving block on Mathias Olivera in the first half. While he stayed deeper than usual, his defensive awareness was crucial in keeping Chelsea within striking distance.
Wesley Fofana (4)
A night to forget for the Frenchman. As the central pillar of the defense, he struggled to contain Napoli’s movement. He was beaten too easily for the equalizer and lost track of Hojlund for the second, leading to a difficult evening of heavy scrutiny.
Marc Cucurella (6)
Operating as the left-sided center-back, Cucurella focused heavily on nullifying Napoli’s wide threats. He won several key one-on-one duels against Spinazzola, though his defensive responsibilities meant he was rarely seen in the opposition’s half.
Malo Gusto (5)
Tasked with patrolling the right flank, Gusto found plenty of space but struggled with his execution. Several promising attacking transitions died at his feet due to overhit crosses or poor decision-making in the final third.
Moises Caicedo (6)
A battling performance in the engine room. While it wasn’t the dominant display fans have come to expect, Caicedo provided the necessary grit to help Chelsea regain control in the second half, acting as a shield for the shifting backline.
Andrey Santos (5)
The young Brazilian had a mixed evening in a defensively-heavy midfield role. While his work rate was high, a lapse in concentration led to a turnover that gifted Napoli their opening goal—a mistake that weighed heavily on his overall performance.
Estevao Willian (5)
A quiet night for the highly-rated youngster. He struggled to find the pockets of space needed to influence the game and was often isolated against Napoli’s physical wing-backs. He was eventually replaced as the Blues sought a different tactical approach.
Enzo Fernandez (7)
Chelsea’s midfield metronome was the coolest man in Naples when he stepped up to convert from the spot. Beyond the goal, he was the primary source of creativity in a black shirt, constantly looking to progress the ball during a frantic first half.
Pedro Neto (5)
Deployed in a more cautious, defensive-minded role on the left, Neto sacrificed his attacking instincts for the good of the team. He worked hard to double up on Napoli’s attackers but was substituted at the break as Rosenior chased more offensive output.
Joao Pedro (8)
The undisputed star of the show. After a quiet first hour, he took the game by the scruff of the neck. His first was a thunderbolt from 25 yards that nearly tore the net, followed by a composed, clinical finish for the winner. A true match-winning performance.
Substitutes
Cole Palmer (7): The catalyst. His introduction at halftime changed the game’s gravity. He provided both assists for Joao Pedro and looked dangerous every time he touched the ball.
Trevoh Chalobah (6): Brought on to stabilize the defense as Chelsea shifted shape, providing a reliable presence during the late-game siege.
Jamie Gittens (6): Added pace and directness on the left, though he was later sacrificed for a defender to protect the lead.
Alejandro Garnacho (6): Provided fresh legs and kept the Napoli defense occupied in the closing ten minutes.
Benoit Badiashile (N/A): A late entry to help clear headers during stoppage time.