Chelsea claim dramatic Euro win in a tense Football Battle

The Blues have been in turmoil since losing 3-1 in the first leg in Naples, with manager Andre Villas-Boas sacked by owner Roman Abramovich after less than 10 months in charge.

Roberto di Matteo assumed control until the end of the season - and oversaw a win of huge significance as the home side overturned that deficit on a night of high drama and emotion.

Di Matteo's side achieved their first target as goals either side of half-time from Didier Drogba and John Terry gave them the lead they required to move towards a place in the last eight.

Gokhan Inler's strike had the massed ranks of noisy Napoli supporters in ecstatic mood as he turned the tie in favour of the Serie A outfit, but this was a night when Chelsea's old guard was not to be denied.

Frank Lampard sent the tie into extra time from the penalty spot with 15 minutes left before Ivanovic's thumping finish proved to be the decisive moment.

At the final whistle Di Matteo, who had been impassive in his technical area, raced on to the pitch and into the arms of Drogba before moving around the rest of his players with the home fans delivering deafening roars of approval.

Abramovich felt he could wait no longer to dismiss Villas-Boas, even though this crucial game was looming - and he will feel that decision has been given a measure of vindication by the transformation in this Chelsea side.

The elder statesmen delivered as the Londoners showed the passion, character and commitment that was often conspicuous by its absence during Villas-Boas's brief reign.

And Abramovich can now look towards the latter stages of Europe's elite tournament with Chelsea as England's only representatives, ensuring the Premier League avoided the ignominy of being wiped out before the quarter-final stage for the first time since 1996.

The Blues will have been aware of the danger of conceding a goal at any time - and Stamford Bridge was awash with anxiety as they were forced to survive an early siege from Napoli.

As it Stands:
QUARTER-FINAL LINE-UP

There are seven different nations represented in the draw for the last eight:

    APOEL (Cyprus)
    Barcelona (Spain)
    Bayern Munich (Germany)
    Benfica (Portugal)
    Chelsea (England)
    Marseille (France)
    AC Milan (Italy)
    Real Madrid (Spain)


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