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By KIERAN GILL, MAIL SPORT REPORTER Published: 09: 31 AEDT, 29 January 2026 | Updated: 10: 18 AEDT, 29 January 2026 20 View comments If ever there was a fixture for putting hairs on young players' chests, here it was - at the hostile home of Napoli, who had not lost at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona since 2024. Whatever external reservations there are with Chelsea and their inexperience as a young group, it was to their credit how they silenced the loud locals here, showing guts to get the win required to finish in the Champions League's coveted top eight. Rosenior's somewhat experimental line-up in Naples may have complicated matters ever so slightly in the first half. We know Reece James is a brilliant right back, and have marvelled at his use in midfield, though his role as a central defender next to Wesley Fofana here was unusual. Chelsea took an early lead through Enzo Fernandez, but they were two poor goals from a defensive perspective which saw them fall behind by the break. Nevertheless, it was encouraging how Rosenior and his team found a way to triumph in the end, as Cole Palmer twice assisted splendid goals from Joao Pedro after coming on as a substitute. With that, Chelsea finished sixth in the Champions League's standings, thereby avoiding throwing another pair of fixtures on to the pile in the form of a punishing two-legged play-off. Joao Pedro scored two sublime individual goals as Chelsea won 3-2 at Napoli on Wednesday Pedro watches on as his left-footed stunner flies into the top corner to make it 2-2 on the night The Brazilian completed his brace with this strike after a fine counter-attacking run What a relief that is for Rosenior, who is no fool. He realises there was cynicism surrounding his appointment as Enzo Maresca's successor earlier this month, how he came from their sister club in Strasbourg with limited experience himself. But with each passing game, the 41-year-old Englishman has been easing those concerns, this representing an almighty victory. Nights like this will be invaluable for Chelsea's youngsters, and the level-headed Rosenior said afterwards on his side: 'They lost a manager they really respected for reasons that were beyond my control or knowledge. For them to work as hard as they have done for me is a credit to them. It's not about me or my ego. ' While Rosenior's Chelsea bench totalled 12 players here, Antonio Conte only had seven Napoli substitutes to choose from: two goalkeepers, three defenders, a midfielder and a half-fit striker in Romelu Lukaku. Conte described it as a 'complete emergency' afterwards. It is little reason they are being linked with Raheem Sterling, therefore, especially as they have become a home for former Premier League players, including Scott Mc Tominay. Napoli's supporters realise they are down to the bare bones but one reason they love Mc Tominay is for his work rate. Daily Mail Sport even had the owner of a local pizza restaurant proudly showing us his signed Mc Tominay shirt which he planned on having framed for the wall on Tuesday night, and the Scotland international increased the noise in the opening minutes simply by closing down Robert Sanchez with great gusto. The Chelsea goalkeeper's clearance smacked Mc Tominay in the head, leaving the midfielder requiring a check for concussion. Despite their obvious limitations, Napoli looked dangerous, with Mc Tominay a force in midfield. Chelsea took the lead via a set-piece as James' free-kick was curling around the wall until blocked by the arm of Juan Jesus. Referee Clement Turpin did not need VAR to spy this was a penalty, which Fernandez buried after 19 minutes. Scoring early was supposed to settle Chelsea's nerves. However, the visitors failed to use their lead to kick on - something which has long been an issue with this team - and Napoli deserved their equaliser when it eventually arrived in the 33rd minute. Andrey Santos' clearance saw the ball end up with Antonio Vergara, knocking on 40 yards from goal. With few other options, he charged forward, evaded the challenge of Moises Caicedo from behind, and then turned Fofana before scoring beyond Sanchez. It would be no exaggeration to say the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona erupted. The Napoli bench emptied as everyone spilled on to the blue running track. It was Vergara's first time scoring for the Italian side, and exquisite, even if poor from Chelsea and Fofana in particular. Liam Rosenior has only been in the Chelsea job for a few weeks but is impressing with results When Napoli made it 2-1 after 43 minutes, it was simple. A ball into the box from Mathias Olivera, and a finish from the Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund. At half-time, Rosenior introduced Palmer and after 59 minutes, he brought on Trevoh Chalobah. Those tweaks changed this contest in Chelsea's favour. It was in the 61st minute when the visitors struck back as Palmer's pass found Joao Pedro, who turned and scored a screamer from 25 yards. That gave Chelsea hope of snatching the winner they needed, and it was within seconds of Lukaku being introduced for Napoli that the visitors got exactly what they wanted after 82 minutes. Palmer threaded a ball in behind, Joao Pedro picked it up, and just like that, Chelsea won, with Rosenior celebrating wildly down on the touchline. He earned that moment of ecstasy, even if he declined to take any credit for this victory afterwards.
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