Napoli left stunned as Chelsea progress

Last night Chelsea produced a display of grit, determination and resilience as they completed an emphatic comeback to win 5-4 (aet) on aggregate and progress to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

Branislav Ivanovic was the hero with the goal in extra-time after a well worked move, in which Drogba turned brilliantly before finding Ivanovic whose finished with real power past De Sanctis.

'Pick that out' - Ivanovic smashes home in extra time

After early pressure by Napoli the game changed and in the 29th minute as Drogba made it 1-0 with a powerful header. From this moment on Chelsea began to dominate the game. Early in the second half Terry made it two with another headed goal. At 2-0 it was enough to see Chelsea through due to their away goal however only 7 minutes later Gokan Inler fired a 20-yard strike past the helpless Petr Cech to put Napoli in the lead again. Chelsea however did not crumble as I thought, they fought back piling on the pressure. Napoli were struggling and gave away a penalty in the 75th minute to which Frank Lampard cooly stepped up to hammer home. Napoli were increasing on the back foot and rarely a chance came their way. Into extra-time and Napoli looked spent. They were visibly tiring by the second as Chelsea continued to pour forward.  Fernando Torres almost scored however was unable to convert as his time without a goal heads past the 25 hour mark. Then after a terrific turned and cross by Drogba, Ivanovic rifled home to send Stamford Bridge into euphoria.  

After a poor display in the first leg I felt that Chelsea had very little chance of progressing. Their performances in the League were poor and the team looked disinterested and lacking confidence. However since the sacking of Andre Villas Boas they seem to have a new lease of life, a willingness, a drive to succeed.

Di Matteo showed a lack of class

Chelsea's celebrations at the end were that of pure delight however if not somewhat unsavoury. Roberto Di Matteo (left) went running on the pitch, jumping of players in deight. This only days after the man who brought him to the club was sacked. To me this showed a real lack of class on Di Matteo's part. For me no matter what the likes of Frank Lampard and John Terry say the players did get Andre Villas Boas the sack. It was evident. Where was the fight against West Brom that they showed yesterday? answer nowhere. Yesterday there was a key moment where ITV showed the touchline where none other then John Terry was barracking orders at the players. Even ITV commentator Clive Tyldesley stated 'by the way if case you were wondering the man in the suit is the manager'. Now I know people will say he is just passionate however this is appalling. I do not care how experienced, how passionate you are no player from any other team would do this. Could you imagine a Manchester United or City player standing behind Ferguson or Mancini shouting instructions? I do not know what was worse the complete lack of respect by Terry or the lack of backbone by Di Matteo not to say anything.  For me it shows who runs Chelsea and as with Real Madrid a few years ago its the players. I do feel for Villas Boas as they were not with him and I agree with him that the old guard need to leave Chelsea. Despite this result and whatever they achieve this season they need to leave for Chelsea to progress. This is why Di Matteo must also go as he is not the man to rebuild this team. 

So this performance left me wondering and probably what many Chelsea fans thought as where has that performance been this season? Is Chelsea's season to be saved as the fans look at a top four place and FA Cup and  Champions League success will optimism? This is all still to be seen, however one thing is for sure on this form and this attitude Chelsea are definitely ones to watch. Personally I think they will fall short but they have proven me wrong before.

The draw for the quarter finals of the Champions League is on Friday.