napoli 4-1

Independent:


Ivanovic's goal extra special for Chelsea

Chelsea 4 (Drogba 29, Terry 47, Lampard pen 75, Ivanovic 105) Napoli 1 (Inler 55)
After extra time; Chelsea win 5-4 on aggregate

SAM WALLACE STAMFORD BRIDGE


It was the Chelsea of a bygone era, playing as if the last ten months have never happened. It was an extraordinary night of European football which ended with Roman Abramovich in the dressing room congratulating the same players whose manager he sacked just 11 days earlier.

It was a comeback over 120 minutes and through four goals that required the plain old cussedness for which this Chelsea side was once famous. They overturned a 3-1 first leg deficit to become the only English team in the quarter-finals draw tomorrow and they did so having won one of the most enthralling Champions League games played in the competition this season.

It does not change the fact that Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard and John Terry will have to be replaced at some point, and some sooner than others. Chelsea are still a very long way from winning this competition, the trophy Abramovich wants most. But this was the kind of night that the club required to drag themselves out of the shadow of the Andre Villas-Boas episode.

Drogba left the pitch waving a Chelsea flag, Lampard pointed up to his family on the first tier of the stand and punched the air. Earlier Terry, substituted during extra-time, had effectively been directing operations alongside the caretaker manager Roberto Di Matteo on the touchline. It was as if the Villas-Boas purge of the old guard had simply never happened.

Branislav Ivanovic might have scored the dramatic extra-time winner but it was the identity of the first three goalscorers – Drogba, Terry and Lampard, from the penalty spot – that gave the evening its flavour. This was one in the eye for those who say the Jose Mourinho team are over the hill and, whatever your view on that, one could hardly have denied that the drama of the evening was irresistible.

By the end of the game Di Matteo’s team were effectively down to ten men with David Luiz hobbling. At times, especially in the first half, they had been second best. But the Italians had been hit by the sheer relentless nature of Chelsea who had terrified their opponents in the air from set-pieces.

Yes, the old guard rolled back the years and no-one more than Terry who was outstanding in defence. Lampard, almost overrun in the first half, came back into the game and there was no-one Chelsea would have trusted more with the penalty that took the tie into extra-time. But there were also major contributions from Ivanovic, Luiz and Ramires.

If he was watching on television, and he surely was, Villas-Boas might have wondered how a team that lost so limply in Naples for him could fight so ferociously for his assistant. Certainly, this game demonstrated that the young coach did push the pace of change too quickly and that his omission of Lampard and Ashley Cole in the first leg had left his side with too little experience.

But it was also one of those occasions when the mood sweeps the team along. That perfect storm of factors: the end of a managerial era unpopular among certain players, the adversity of the first leg scoreline and that for the first time in a long time, Chelsea’s players went into a Champions League knock-out game with nothing to lose. They looked liberated for a change.

Chelsea are now only the fourth team in the history of the competition to come back from a deficit of two goals or more in the first leg. How much did Di Matteo have to do with it? He certainly picked the right team but no-one expected Abramovich to give him the job permanently. This was another one of those nights when the will of the players was exerted again.

What next for Chelsea? There is one name in particular that stands out in the draw tomorrow, that of Apoel from Cyprus, who eliminated Lyons on penalties last week. Otherwise the big boys are all there: Barcelona, Real Madrid, Milan, Bayern Munich, Benfica and Marseilles. The kudos of being the last English survivor will sustain them for some time.

From the first minute last night, Chelsea came out swinging and when Napoli met them nose-to-nose this game showed all the signs of being a rattling good contest. In the first minute Lampard cleaned out Edinson Cavani with a tackle. Drogba chested the ball down to Daniel Sturridge and his shot was saved by Morgan De Sanctis.

The message from Chelsea was clear: we are not prepared to go quietly. That was not to say they got it all their own way, far from it. For a period after Chelsea’s spikey start they found themselves pinned back by the mastery of Napoli in the midfield when Lampard and Michael Essien struggled. Petr Cech came to the rescue as Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik both had chances.

Later, Napoli’s manager Walter Mazzarri would bemoan what he considered Chelsea’s more cynical approach and claim that his team were not protected by the German referee. In those early stages, with Napoli playing through them, Chelsea took a more direct option.

All night, Napoli struggled to deal with the power of the home side when the ball was crossed into the box. For Chelsea’s first goal it was Ramires, an unlikely provider of assists, who crossed from the left for Drogba to twist and head the ball in.

Immediately after half-time, Terry headed Lampard’s corner away from De Sanctis and into the far corner. Terry had been outstanding but his one error was failing to get his clearing header on 55 minutes sufficiently clear. Gokhan Inler struck a brilliant half-volley that turned the tie back in Napoli’s favour.

That might have been it for Chelsea in other circumstances. But, with Fernando Torres on the pitch as a substitute, they came back once more.. They won a series of corners and on 73 minutes a header from Ivanovic header clearly connected with the hand of substitute Andrea Dossena. Referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot and Lampard did the rest.

So to extra-time. Torres got a sight of goal when the ball bounced over De Sanctis but the striker never looked like getting his shot on target. Ivanovic’s winner was crossed from Drogba on the right and he finished, as Lampard later said, “like a striker”. In the past a place in the quarter-finals would have been considered the very minimum from Chelsea but last night it felt like a great deal more than that.


Match facts

Substitutes: Chelsea Torres (Sturridge, 63), Malouda (Mata, 95), Bosingwa (Terry, 98).Napoli Dossena (Maggio, 36), Pandev (Hamsik, 106), Vargas (Aronica, 110).

Booked: Chelsea Lampard, Cole. NapoliCannavaro, Lavezzi, Inler, Campagnaro.


Man of the match Drogba.

Match rating 9/10.

Possession: Chelsea 59% Napoli 41%.

Attempts on target: Chelsea 13 Napoli 9.

Referee F Brych (Ger). Attendance 37,784.




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Guardian:


Branislav Ivanovic seals dramatic Chelsea win over Napoli

Daniel Taylor at Stamford Bridge

In the end it will be remembered as one of the great Stamford Bridge nights. The drama was almost unrelenting and it culminated with Branislav Ivanovic turning in the goal that keeps Chelsea in the Champions League and serves as a reminder of all the great qualities they have kept in storage for too long this season.
For a right-back to find himself in the opposition penalty area 105 minutes into a tie of this magnitude was maybe the best way to sum up a wild and eccentric night in which Napoli played their full part and had enough of the ball in dangerous areas to feel aggrieved they will not be involved in Friday's quarter-final draw.
Yet ultimately this was the night when Chelsea remembered what it is to be a team of serious ambition and from here they should approach the rest of the season with a new zest. At the very least they have restored some pride and dignity to what has been a difficult and sometimes turbulent season.
They gave everything and at the final whistle their interim manager, RobertoDi Matteo, sprinted on the pitch to embrace the victorious players. Some looked too shattered to respond.
Half an hour later Roman Abramovich walked across the playing surface, high-fiving his staff and blowing out his cheeks in joyous disbelief. These were scenes that barely seemed imaginable after the first leg at Stadio San Paolo three weeks ago when they were fortunate to get away with a 3-1 defeat and André Villas-Boas was left one defeat from the sack.
To put it into context, this is only the fourth time in 45 attempts that a team has overcome a first-leg deficit of two or more goals in the Champions League. That, however, tells only part of the story of a night in which Chelsea went 2-0 ahead, courtesy of headed goals from Didier Drogba and John Terry, only for Napoli to respond via a peach of shot from Gokhan Inler.
Twice the game was tipped in Napoli's favour and twice Chelsea gritted their teeth to get back on top of the fourth-placed side in Serie A.
They had been out-passed early on and it was difficult not to sympathise with a Napoli side that played with great adventure and ambition throughout the evening. Walter Mazzarri's players were quick to the ball, strong in the challenge and, when they broke forward, they did so with pace and numbers.
They played with togetherness and purpose and have a striker, Edinson Cavani, who could trouble the most accomplished defences. For a team of this ability to play so well and lose 4-1 shows what a monumental effort it was from Chelsea.
The Italians were so superior for the opening half an hour that, when Drogba darted into the six-yard area to head in Ramires's cross, it was almost a shock. Drogba's anticipation brought new hope and by half-time it was clear that Chelsea could open the visiting defence.
A pattern was subtly emerging. If Napoli had a flaw, it was when crosses were delivered into their penalty area and two minutes into the second half Chelsea took advantage again. Frank Lampard's corner was a couple of inches too high for Drogba but Terry was coming in from behind and his header was expertly taken.
At 2-0 Chelsea were ahead on aggregate, via their away goal, for the first time in the tie, but their joy was short-lived. Eight minutes later Andrea Dossena crossed from the left and Terry's clearing header landed on Inler's chest 20 yards out. Impeccable control was followed by a right-foot volley that went through Lampard's legs and speared into the bottom right-hand corner of Petr Cech's goal.
Yet the night was so devoted to attacking football, from both sides, there was only a passing sense that the fun would stop there. Lampard's 75th-minute penalty, after Ivanovic's header had been blocked by Andrea Dossena's outstretched arm, took the game into extra-time and from that point Chelsea looked stronger and fitter.
Drogba was a constant menace and Fernando Torres looked lively after replacing Daniel Sturridge, even if he lost his nerve with his one good chance and has now gone past 24 hours of match time without scoring.
Finally Ramires and Drogba worked the ball into Ivanovic's path and he took his chance as if it were perfectly normal for him to be playing as an extra centre-forward. That one elegant swish of his right boot meant so much for Chelsea.




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Telegraph:


Chelsea 4 Napoli 1; agg 5-4 (aet): match report

By Henry Winter, at Stamford Bridge



An astonishing game, pulsating from end to end, shredding the nerves of all privileged to be present, was won by the team who believed most, who refused to give up. Chelsea are in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and they thoroughly deserve to be. This was a triumph of the spirit.

Chelsea kept the blue flag flying, keeping the battered Premier League standard still fluttering in the Champions League, because they kept going against all odds. Even when Napoli started so threateningly, Chelsea rallied, scoring through Didier Drogba and John Terry.

Even when Gokhan Inler unleashed a shot that could have broken their resolve, let alone their net, Chelsea simply went again. Frank Lampard converted an emphatic penalty that carried the game into extra time.

When Branislav Ivanovic scored, Chelsea protected their slim advantage defiantly to join Manchester United’s class of 1957 and Leeds United’s 1992 vintage as the only English team to progress in the European Cup after losing the first leg by two or more goals.

This was a testament to Chelsea’s character as well as the chaos frequently resident in Napoli’s defence. This was a tribute to Roberto Di Matteo’s high-tempo approach, vindication for his 4-2-3-1 system and his choice of personnel. This was the second leg in reverse.

This was also a reminder that there is life in the old guard at the Bridge. Terry was outstanding, one moment making vital clearances, the next scoring. He led by example, only leaving the fray after 98 minutes when his right leg seized up. Drogba ran hard for two hours, giving Paolo Cannavaro and company nightmares.

The one embarrassment staining the Ivorian’s contribution was some desperate play-acting, pretending that Cannavaro had caught him in the face. Lampard was Lampard, always looking to use the ball intelligently, delivering the corner for Terry’s goal and taking his penalty so calmly when the weight of a club was on his shoulders.

They had known that history was against them, that their record in these knockout showdowns was not great. They had known Napoli’s deft counter-attackers had to be feared. But as Chelsea’s players emerged from the tunnel, as the Matthew Harding end burst into “attack, attack, attack” and the Shed End responded with a guttural “come on, Chelsea’’, Lampard, Terry and Drogba launched into the great escape. They were assisted by strong performances from David Luiz, who kept things simple at the back, and Ramires, who was a bundle of energy throughout.

Still Chelsea had to withstand that early pressure. After Daniel Sturridge tested Morgan De Sanctis, Napoli started to roll forward ominously. The ball flowed from Edinson Cavani to Ezequiel Lavezzi to Marek Hamsik, the holy trinity of Napoli. Hamsik drilled the ball to the far-post and there was Cavani, sliding in, making contact but finding only the side-netting. Hamsik and Lavezzi also went close. As Napoli sought to brandish their attacking trident, Chelsea were looking primarily to find Drogba, hitting him with high balls.

Cannavaro resorted to illicit tactics to stop Drogba, dragging the giant Ivorian down. Napoli’s defensive vulnerabilities were well known, particularly their problems in dealing with balls whipped in from the wide pastures. Walter Mazzarri’s commitment to wing-backs inevitably meant space could be exploited out on the flanks. So it proved. After 28 minutes, Ashley Cole clipped a pass to Ramires down the left and the Brazilian delivered, lifting the ball into the box.

Drogba still had much to do. Timing his run well, stooping to meet the ball, Drogba headed it firmly past De Sanctis. The Bridge dissolved into delight, barring that corner of Napoli fans who redoubled support for their team. The tifosi simply believed that one of their famous attackers would score. Superbly released by Inler’s pass, Cavani advanced into the area but dragged his shot wide.

Back came Chelsea, Sturridge heading wide and David Luiz denied by Cannavaro on the line. They kept up the pressure after the break.

Their second goal arrived within three minutes, again from hapless Italian defending, a needlessly conceded corner. The old firm combined. Lampard swung in a corner and there was Terry, applying the perfect power and placement on the ball to send a header flying past De Sanctis.

The waves of joy rolling around the Bridge briefly stopped. When Andrea Dossena lifted in a cross, Terry headed out and it fell to the excellent Inler. Chelsea did not know what hit them. Petr Cech never saw it coming. Inler’s strike flew irresistibly into the Chelsea net, sending the Napoli players, supporters and coaching staff into a ferment of celebration.

Di Matteo took decisive action, desperate action in many eyes. Sturridge was withdrawn for Fernando Torres yet it was still Drogba menacing most, his shot was pushed away by De Sanctis. Nerves bit deep. Mazzarri is expressive during the least eventful of games and he resembled St Vitus’ Dance in an overcoat here.

Chelsea refused to give up. When Ivanovic headed goalwards, Dossena handled and Brych pointed to the spot. Here was the chance to make it level on aggregate. Here was Lampard’s chance to remind his critics of his enduring qualities. So calm, so composed, Lampard stepped up and drove the ball unerringly in.

Sweat continued to glisten on the brows of onlookers, let alone the combatants. It was like watching two heavyweights throwing punches, sometimes blindly, sometimes clinging to the ropes. This was a time for real men to take control. Inler advanced threateningly. Drogba swept a free-kick over. Ivanovic charged down the inside-right channel. Hamsik came back to life, attempting to dribble upfield but Torres tackled back, earning huge applause.

Every touch, every challenge from a man in blue drew cheers from Chelsea fans. The Bridge screamed in anger when Salvatore Aronica pulled down Drogba, but Felix Brych waved play on.

Extra time arrived, seeing Torres miss a chance from a tight angle.

But then came Ivanovic. Chelsea stood firm and celebrated wildly at the final whistle. Their season is very much alive and kicking. They face Leicester City in the FA Cup on Sunday with legs slightly drained – but not their spirit.




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Mail:


Chelsea 4 Napoli 1 AET (agg 5-4): Old guard march on as veterans seal last-eight spot

By MATT LAWTON



After the stirring speech came the stunning performance. John Terry said this could be one of their greatest nights and so it was, this ageing Chelsea team simply refusing to die, to give up on a dream, on a quest for the ultimate prize.

By the end of this astonishing 120-minute contest, they were on their knees. Michael Essien was at centre half because an injury meant David Luiz could no longer run. Terry had already left the field after somehow battling for 98 minutes only three weeks after he had surgery on what was considered a serious knee injury.

Mr Chelsea he most certainly is, and blue blood still flows through his veins when his reputation, indeed his career, remains on the line amid the chaos of his off-field problems.

It is amid total chaos that Chelsea delivered, a team without a permanent manager eliminating a stylish Italian side who looked unstoppable in Naples last month.

What lifted them was the knowledge that, for many of these players, this could be their last chance to succeed in a competition that has proved so painful, their last chance to lift a European Cup that has eluded them despite one final and four other semi-final appearances.

With that in mind, the old guard mustered something even Jose Mourinho would have considered special. Terry was an inspiration but so were Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard as the veteran trio produced the goals that sent this extraordinary last-16 tie into extra time.

It still needed one more to avoid the penalty shootout that would have brought back haunting memories of Moscow, and it was from Drogba that the final ball came.

Ramires, irrepressible in midfield, made the crucial advance up field but it was the 34-year-old Ivorian who delivered a pass that Branislav Ivanovic met with a brilliant right-foot shot seconds before the extra-time interval.

Stamford Bridge erupted and it did so again when the final whistle arrived. Roberto Di Matteo sprinted on to the pitch and jumped into the arms of Drogba before congratulating the other players over whom he has temporary control.

It was a wonderful game of football. Fast, fluent, fiercely competitive, with Chelsea pressing relentlessly but Napoli always looking so, so dangerous on the counter-attack. After 20 minutes Napoli’s shots on goal outnumbered Chelsea’s by 10 to two. The first opportunity had fallen to Daniel Sturridge, who forced a decent save from Morgan de Sanctis.

But it was not long before Walter Mazzarri’s side reminded Chelsea of the threat they pose. One clever ball from the excellent Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik was unleashing a shot that Petr Cech had to save with an outstretched foot.

The tempo of the game was terrific, the intensity incredible. Edinson Cavani, who scored one of Napoli’s three goals last month, so nearly struck again thanks to a fine delivery from Christian Maggio but he shot into the side-netting when it seemed he would score.

Cech would then make another save, this time to deny Lavezzi. But then came this sudden sense of hope; this sense that it might still be possible. Then came Drogba’s 29th-minute goal.

It was beautifully executed, Drogba getting in front of his marker to meet a right-foot cross from the left from Ramires with a thumping header. Game on.

Hopes and expectations were raised further a minute later when Drogba almost scored again, but Hugo Campagnaro just denied him the chance to strike as he arrived to meet a super delivery from Sturridge.

The loss to injury of Maggio, so dangerous on the right flank, enhanced Chelsea’s chances and Terry’s goal came only two minutes into the second half when Campagnaro needlessly headed the ball out for a corner.

Up stepped Juan Mata to deliver from the right and up stepped Terry to send Chelsea, for that moment at least, into the last eight. The moment, however, lasted only seven minutes as Napoli responded with a breathtaking 30-yard half-volley from Gokhan Inler.

But this was not going to be another European night when Chelsea cursed their cruel luck. This was going to be their night, and when Andrea Dossena blocked an Ivanovic header in the 75th minute with his hand, Lampard had the opportunity to score from the penalty spot.

Cool as you like, he did just that and he probably should have been given a second such chance when Salvatore Aronica dragged down Drogba with both hands.

Instead, the contest moved into extra time. Terry lasted eight more minutes, some words of inspiration for Jose Bosingwa, his replacement, being his last act. It was not Chelsea’s last act though. Not last night and not in this competition either, after Ivanovic secured their place in the draw for the quarter-finals in emphatic style.

This team might not be together for much longer but they are not done yet. Not by a long way.




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Mirror:


Chelsea 4-1 Napoli (agg 5-4): Ivanovic puts Blues through in thriller

By Martin Lipton


A night of glory, of disbelieving intensity, of sheer, unutterable desire.

A game that will be remembered by everyone who was there, long after Chelsea desert Stamford Bridge for their new 60,000 home.

Here, at Stamford Bridge, history was made, defeated, the seeming impossible turned into remarkable reality.

And while the big peaks still stand ahead of Chelsea and their potential destiny in Munich on May 19, with Real Madrid and Barcelona the two sides Roberto Di Matteo will want to avoid in Friday's draw in Nyon, something critical has changed.

It had to for them to dig their way out of this scrape, against a thrilling Napoli side who threatened to run them absolutely ragged in the opening quarter.

It had to have done when, having cancelled out the first leg deficit just after the break, Gokhan Inler's stunner left them staring into the abyss once more.

But out of adversity, out of the moment of darkest doubt, the greatest triumph of all.

As Branislav Ivanovic's right foot swung through Didier Drogba's cross with the last kick of the first period of extra-time, almost ripping a hole in the net at the Shed End, all the chaos, crisis, carnage of the past few weeks mattered no more.

Not after this, a night about individual heroes.

About Drogba, Frank Lampard and the indefatigable John Terry rolling back the years.

About Ivanovic earning the penalty that Lampard drilled home to earn extra-time before smashing in the goal that competed one of the great Champions League comebacks.

But, more than that, it was the evidence of how ruptured, split and destabilised Chelsea had become under Andre Villas-Boas.

And how the mere decision to jettison the Portuguese as Chelsea's season stood on the brink of destruction could prove the best call Roman Abramovich has made since he hired Jose Mourinho in the first place back in 2004.

When Villas-Boas was summoned in to receive his marching orders from Abramovich 11 days ago, nobody could ever have imagined the response; that the Russian would be giving high-fives as he walked with his entourage across the Bridge pitch to the dressing room 15 minutes after the final whistle of an unforgettable night.

Not just the three wins, two dug out from poor performances, this one, the best of the lot, earned by all the old, familiar Chelsea power football virtues.

Yet this was all the more incredible, not just because of what had happened in the Stadio San Paolo three weeks ago but what Napoli threatened to do at the Bridge.

Five chances in as many minutes as Edinson Cavani, Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik looked unstoppable on the counter, Di Matteo's decision to play with five effective attackers and Michael Essien the lone protection for the back line appearing too much of a tightrope.

Somehow, thanks to keeper Petr Cech and poor finishing, Chelsea survived and - straight after the restart - were briefly ahead on away goals.

First Drogba threw himself to get on the end of Ramires' cross and then Lampard's right-wing corner was met by skipper Terry, whose header was, also, unstoppable.

Incredibly, advantage Chelsea. For just seven minutes.

Terry cleared former Liverpool midfielder Andrea Dossena's cross, but nobody in Blue reacted as Inler chested down and thwacked home past the static Cech into the bottom corner.

Di Matteo sent on Fernando - now past the 24-hour mark without a goal - and time appeared to be ebbing away as De Sanctis saved from Ivanovic and Drogba.

But Chelsea were not to be denied. With a quarter of an hour to go, Dossena batted down Ivanovic's header and Lampard - like Ashley Cole and Essien left out in Naples in Villas-Boas' "suicide note" selection - nervelessly, picked his spot for his 13th of the season, his 22nd Champions League goal for Chelsea.

Now it was like a scene from the Somme, bodies falling everywhere as chances came and went at both ends, Torres wide of a gaping target, Hamsik inches off with a thunderous volley.

Even Terry, the man who would never give up, could not continue.

But his pain turned to joy as Drogba spun off his man and Ivanovic's right foot raised the roof, the last minutes passing dreadfully slow but Napoli simply shot to bits.

At the final whistle, Di Matteo leaped into Drogba's arms, more like one of the boys than the manager.

Astonishing.

Fantastic.

Simply brilliant.

**

Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Cech 7; Ivanovic 7, Luiz 6, Terry 8 (Bosingwa, 96, 5), Cole 6, Essien 6, Lampard 7; Sturridge 6 (Torres, 63, 6), Mata 6 (Malouda, 93, 6), Ramires 7; Drogba 8

Napoli (4-3-2-1): De Sanctis 6; Campagnaro 6, Cannavaro 6, Aronica 5; Maggio 7 (Dossena, 36, 6), Gargano 7, Inler 7, Zuniga 7; Hamsik 8, Lavezzi 7; Cavani 8

Referee: Felix Byrch (Germany)

Man of the match: Drogba - showed what line-leading is all about




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Sun:


Chelsea 4 Napoli 1(aet; 5-4 on agg)

By SHAUN CUSTIS


SO the old guard are finished are they?

That Didier Drogba — what a donkey, eh? John Terry? His legs have gone. And, as for Frank Lampard, there has been a space marked 'Reserved' for him for months down at the knacker's yard.

Well, that was the theory anyway — and it is one the sacked Andre Villas-Boas had signed up to.

But the gang of three were not ready to stand aside this season. There was still far too much fight left in these proud men who refused to be pensioned off.

They proved it as each netted last night on the way to a stunning aggregate success, which was completed when defender Branislav Ivanovic slammed home the clincher in extra time.

Villas-Boas went about it the wrong way when he tried unceremoniously shunting some of the oldies aside, only to discover that, without them, there was no team.

Interim-boss Roberto Di Matteo recognised it. Of the side which started last night, only Juan Mata was signed by AVB.

The veterans have seen it all and have the medals in the trophy cabinet, Premier League titles, FA and Carling Cups.

The one they have not got, of course, is the Champions League and they realised this could be their last chance to win it, which is why they gave every last drop to reach the last eight.

Chelsea have had so many bitter disappointments in the past — against Liverpool, Barcelona and, the hardest one to take of all, the penalty shootout final defeat to Manchester United in Moscow four years ago.

They were due a good night where they overcame the odds and, whether it is Di Matteo or the players themselves running the show, it worked.

Di Matteo, who has won three out of three since taking over, certainly milked the occasion at the final whistle.

He leapt on Drogba and substitute Fernando Torres, who did not look over-pleased about it having passed the milestone of playing more than 24 hours without scoring.

This was not the time to rip Torres apart though, it was to celebrate one of the greatest-ever nights at Stamford Bridge.

You would not have thought it possible in the early stages, as Napoli threatened to extend their advantage and kill the tie.

Although Daniel Sturridge was denied early on by keeper Morgan De Sanctis, the visitors had plenty of chances from then on. Petr Cech saved with his foot from Marek Hamsik, thwarted Ezequiel Lavezzi at the near post and stretched to deny Hamsik again.

Napoli were the team on the offensive yet, once Chelsea scored against the run of play on 29 minutes, the game was transformed.

Ramires drove the ball in at just above waist height and Drogba, 34 last Sunday, launched himself in front of his marker to direct a flying header beyond De Sanctis.

Di Matteo was so excited he almost fell over as he danced a celebratory jig The goal was Drogba's 37th in the Champions League and the 100th Chelsea had scored in the competition, and it whipped the home crowd into a real frenzy.

They nearly had another from a Sturridge cross, which would have reached Drogba at the far post had Hugo Campagnaro not got the faintest of flicks to it.

On half-time, Paolo Cannavaro had to scramble away David Luiz's cross and the ball ended up in the arms of the grateful De Sanctis.

The visitors were edgy and, just like AC Milan against Arsenal, did not seem to know how to cope.

But while Arsenal's second-leg effort was a glorious failure as they lost 4-3 on aggregate, Chelsea pulled off the miracle.

Their second goal came three minutes after the restart — and Napoli were the architects of their own downfall.

Campagnaro was under no pressure when he headed out to concede a corner. Lampard took the kick, Terry, 31, made a run towards the near post — and directed the perfect header into the far corner.

Having scored an away goal in Naples, the 2-0 scoreline would have been enough to put Di Matteo's side through. But it was a short-lived advantage because Napoli got what seemed a crucial goal back within seven minutes.

Terry headed out a cross which was controlled on his chest by Swiss international Gokhan Inler and he rifled in from 20 yards, giving Cech no chance. Now it was the Italians going through.

Di Matteo decided it was time for Torres and, after a great deal of time spent getting his hair right, the Spaniard finally came on for Sturridge, who was not terribly impressed with the decision.

Yet Torres almost set one up immediately — laying the ball off for Ivanovic, whose shot was beaten away by De Sanctis.

Then Drogba fashioned a brilliant turn and shot which was superbly saved by De Santis again.

As Napoli continued to panic, Juan Zuniga sliced a clearance right across his own goal.

And they conceded a penalty on 75 minutes when Ivanovic's header hit the arm of sub Andrea Dossena.

Up stepped the ever-confident Lamps, 33, who thrives on the responsibility in pressure situations, and he smacked in the spot-kick.

A magnificent game kept up the standard in the extra 30 minutes, with Ivanovic heading just wide, while Hamsik was inches off target with a rasping volley.

Terry was hurt in a tackle and Di Matteo subbed him for Jose Bosingwa — but JT spent the rest of the game barking instructions from the dugout.

And Chelsea got the vital goal after Ramires, who was having a stormer, jinked down the right and clipped a ball into Drogba.

The Ivorian created an opening before crossing for Ivanovic, who gleefully hammered into the net.

What a goal, what a night.


DREAM TEAM RATINGS

STAR MAN — BRANISLAV IVANOVIC (CHELSEA)

CHELSEA: Cech 7, Ivanovic 9, Luiz 7, Terry 8, Cole 6, Ramires 7,Essien 5, Lampard 6, Mata 5, Sturridge 6, Drogba 7. Subs: Torres(Sturridge 63) 6, Malouda (Mata 95) 6, Bosingwa (Terry 98) 6. Notused: Turnbull, Cahill, Mikel, Kalou. Booked: Lampard, Cole.

NAPOLI: De Sanctis 8, Campagnaro 5, Cannavaro 7, Aronica 6 (Vargas 5),Maggio 6 (Dossena 4), Inler 7, Gargano 5, Zuniga 6, Hamsik 7 (Pandev5), Cavani 6, Lavezzi 7. Not used: Rosati, Britos, Fernandez,Dzemaili. Booked: Cannavaro, Dossena, Inler, Campagnaro.

REF: F Brych (Ger) 7.