By Phil McNulty Chief football writer at Stamford Bridge

Branislav Ivanovic's extra-time goal sent Chelsea into the Champions League quarter-finals as they completed a superb comeback to beat Napoli at Stamford Bridge.

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.

PREMIER LEAGUE POWER

  • There has been at least one English club in the Champions League quarter-finals for each of the past 16 seasons

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.

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)

Marek Hamsik had a shot blocked by the feet of tumbling home goalkeeper Petr Cech as the Italians played at a pace and tempo Chelsea found almost impossible to contain in the opening exchanges.

Edinson Cavani could only put Christian Maggio's low cross into the side-netting before Cech saved from Ezequiel Lavezzi and Hamsik again.

The hosts managed to halt some of Napoli's momentum but it was still totally against the run of play when they went ahead, Drogba twisting and turning to head Ramires' cross past visiting keeper Morgan de Sanctis.

Chelsea's enemy was now over-excitement and they almost conceded instantly when Napoli caught them cold on the counter as Cavani pulled another presentable chance across the face of goal.

Di Matteo has decided to lean heavily on his experienced players after succeeding Villas-Boas - and they delivered in style two minutes after the restart as Terry arrived to power home Lampard's corner.

It was a blow that required a response from Walter Mazzarri's side and that came when Inler chested down Terry's headed clearance on the edge of the area before showing great technique to beat Cech with a low half-volley.

As the tension mounted, Chelsea pressed and Napoli started to show real uncertainty under pressure. The break the home side needed came with 15 minutes left as former Liverpool defender Andrea Dossena handled.

German referee Felix Brych pointed to the spot and Lampard stepped up to drill his kick powerfully down the middle.

With time ticking away, the ever-dangerous Lavezzi had Cech scrambling with a dipping shot from distance that landed just over.

The action continued unabated in injury time, Hamsik flashing a wonderful volley narrowly off target and Torres just unable to take advantage from an acute angle after De Sanctis misjudged a long ball.

As extra time began, it was a case of who would blink first and Drogba turned provider seconds before the end of the first period.

The Ivorian's pull back was fired home in emphatic fashion by Ivanovic to complete the turnaround.

Lineup, Bookings (6) & Substitutions (6)

Chelsea

  • 01 Cech
  • 02 Ivanovic
  • 03 Cole Booked
  • 04 David Luiz
  • 26 Terry (Bosingwa - 98' )
  • 05 Essien
  • 07 Ramires
  • 08 Lampard Booked
  • 10 Mata (Malouda - 95' )
  • 11 Drogba
  • 23 Sturridge (Torres - 63' )

Substitutes

  • 22 Turnbull
  • 17 Bosingwa
  • 24 Cahill
  • 12 Mikel
  • 15 Malouda
  • 09 Torres
  • 21 Kalou

Napoli

  • 01 De Sanctis
  • 06 Aronica (Eduardo Vargas - 110' )
  • 14 Campagnaro Booked
  • 18 Zuniga
  • 28 Cannavaro Booked
  • 11 Maggio (Dossena - 36' )
  • 17 Hamsik (Pandev - 106' )
  • 23 Gargano
  • 88 Inler Booked
  • 07 Cavani
  • 22 Lavezzi Booked

Substitutes

  • 83 Rosati
  • 08 Dossena
  • 21 Fernandez
  • 85 Britos
  • 20 Dzemaili
  • 16 Eduardo Vargas
  • 29 Pandev
Ref: Brych
Att: 37,784

Match Stats

Shots

22 19

On target

13 9

Corners

12 8

Fouls

22 21

Live Text Commentary

120:00 +2:02

The referee signals the end of extra time.

120:00 +0:08

The referee blows for offside against Edinson Cavani. Indirect free kick taken by Petr Cech.

119:35

Effort from deep inside the area by Didier Drogba misses to the right of the goal.

118:51

Unfair challenge on Gokhan Inler by David Luiz results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Gokhan Inler.

118:20

Free kick awarded for a foul by Ramires on Paolo Cannavaro. Direct free kick taken by Paolo Cannavaro.

117:25

Unfair challenge on Frank Lampard by Goran Pandev results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Michael Essien.

116:21

Goran Pandev takes a shot from just outside the penalty area clears the crossbar.

115:26

Free kick awarded for a foul by Frank Lampard on Edinson Cavani. Free kick taken by Morgan De Sanctis.

114:05

Shot on goal comes in from Didier Drogba from the free kick.

114:05 Booking

Booking The referee shows Hugo Armando Campagnaro a yellow card.

113:59

Hugo Armando Campagnaro gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Didier Drogba.

113:19

The ball is sent over by Didier Drogba, Ramires takes a shot. Walter Gargano gets a block in.

112:50

Foul by Camilo Zuniga on Florent Malouda, free kick awarded. Florent Malouda takes the direct free kick.

111:47

Direct free kick taken by Michael Essien.

111:47 Booking

Booking Gokhan Inler booked for unsporting behaviour.

111:42

Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Gokhan Inler results in a free kick.

110:18

Unfair challenge on Paolo Cannavaro by Fernando Torres results in a free kick. Morgan De Sanctis restarts play with the free kick.

109:21

Free kick taken by Petr Cech.

109:21 Substitution

Substitution Salvatore Aronica leaves the field to be replaced by Eduardo Vargas.

109:21

Didier Drogba fouled by Salvatore Aronica, the ref awards a free kick.

108:46

The ball is delivered by Ezequiel Lavezzi, clearance made by David Luiz.

108:26

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Save by Morgan De Sanctis.

107:55

Ezequiel Lavezzi fouled by David Luiz, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

107:08

Edinson Cavani is caught offside. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.

106:26

Foul by Ashley Cole on Walter Gargano, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Hugo Armando Campagnaro.

105:01

The referee blows to start the second half of extra time.

105:01 Substitution

Substitution Marek Hamsik goes off and Goran Pandev comes on.

104:44

Assist on the goal came from Didier Drogba.

104:44 Goal scored

Goal - Branislav Ivanovic - Chelsea 4 - 1 Napoli Branislav Ivanovic grabs a goal from inside the penalty area high into the middle of the goal. Chelsea 4 (5)-(4) 1 Napoli.

104:24

The ball is swung over by Ramires, Salvatore Aronica makes a clearance.

103:30

Salvatore Aronica challenges Didier Drogba unfairly and gives away a free kick. Frank Lampard crosses the ball in from the free kick, Marek Hamsik manages to make a clearance.

102:08

Ezequiel Lavezzi takes a outswinging corner from the right by-line to the near post, Fernando Torres manages to make a clearance.

101:53

Gokhan Inler sends in a cross.

101:00

Close range header by Fernando Torres goes over the bar.

99:07

Effort from the edge of the box by Fernando Torres goes wide of the right-hand upright.

97:06

Direct free kick taken by Hugo Armando Campagnaro.

97:06 Substitution

Substitution John Terry goes off and Jose Bosingwa comes on.

97:06 Booking

Booking Ashley Cole booked for unsporting behaviour.

97:00

Ashley Cole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Hugo Armando Campagnaro.

95:54

The ball is swung over by Ezequiel Lavezzi, Fernando Torres makes a clearance.

95:32

Short corner taken by Ezequiel Lavezzi from the left by-line.

94:56

Unfair challenge on Ezequiel Lavezzi by John Terry results in a free kick. Gokhan Inler restarts play with the free kick.

94:11 Substitution

Substitution Florent Malouda on for Juan Mata.

93:26

Edinson Cavani is ruled offside. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

92:37

Shot from just outside the area by Gokhan Inler goes over the bar.

91:38

Marek Hamsik produces a left-footed shot from inside the area that goes over the bar.

90:40

Outswinging corner taken from the right by-line by Frank Lampard, Headed effort from inside the area by Branislav Ivanovic misses to the left of the goal.

90:00 +2:44

The whistle goes for the end of normal time.

90:00 +1:26

Corner from the right by-line taken by Juan Mata, Camilo Zuniga manages to make a clearance.

90:00 +0:23

The assistant referee signals for offside against Ramires. Free kick taken by Morgan De Sanctis.

88:59

Ramires produces a cross.

88:11

Shot by Walter Gargano from outside the box goes high over the target.

86:25

The ball is crossed by Marek Hamsik.

84:06

Unfair challenge on Didier Drogba by Hugo Armando Campagnaro results in a free kick. Strike comes in from Didier Drogba from the free kick.

82:02

Corner taken by Ezequiel Lavezzi, clearance by John Terry.

80:34

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Ezequiel Lavezzi by Branislav Ivanovic. Salvatore Aronica takes the direct free kick.

77:49

Ezequiel Lavezzi takes the inswinging corner, John Terry makes a clearance.

76:47

Ramires concedes a free kick for a foul on Camilo Zuniga. Hugo Armando Campagnaro takes the direct free kick.

73:59

Inswinging corner taken from the left by-line by Frank Lampard, Branislav Ivanovic takes a shot. Andrea Dossena gets a block in.

74:58 Goal scored

Goal - Frank Lampard - Chelsea 3 - 1 Napoli Power penalty scored by Frank Lampard. Chelsea 3 (4)-(4) 1 Napoli.

74:38

Handball by Andrea Dossena.

73:59

Michael Essien takes the inswinging corner, Branislav Ivanovic takes a shot. Clearance made by Paolo Cannavaro.

73:27

Michael Essien takes a shot. Blocked by Andrea Dossena.

72:48

Foul by Andrea Dossena on Didier Drogba, free kick awarded. Juan Mata crosses the ball in from the free kick, save by Morgan De Sanctis.

71:44

Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata, clearance made by Andrea Dossena.

71:31

Fernando Torres takes a shot. Clearance made by Andrea Dossena.

71:01

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andrea Dossena on Fernando Torres. Direct free kick taken by Juan Mata.

70:11

Camilo Zuniga takes a shot. Blocked by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

68:35

Corner taken by Frank Lampard, clearance by Marek Hamsik.

68:12

Outswinging corner taken by Michael Essien from the right by-line played to the near post, Hugo Armando Campagnaro makes a clearance.

67:50

Free kick taken by David Luiz.

67:50 Booking

Booking Ezequiel Lavezzi is shown a yellow card for unsporting behaviour.

67:44

Andrea Dossena gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Michael Essien.

65:12

Corner from the left by-line taken by Frank Lampard, Morgan De Sanctis makes a save.

64:57

Didier Drogba takes a shot. Save made by Morgan De Sanctis.

63:50

Salvatore Aronica fouled by Didier Drogba, the ref awards a free kick. Morgan De Sanctis restarts play with the free kick.

63:35

Branislav Ivanovic takes a shot. Save by Morgan De Sanctis.

63:08

The referee blows for offside against Ezequiel Lavezzi. John Terry restarts play with the free kick.

62:11

Free kick taken by Camilo Zuniga.

62:11 Substitution

Substitution Daniel Sturridge goes off and Fernando Torres comes on.

62:11

Ramires challenges Camilo Zuniga unfairly and gives away a free kick.

61:16

Gokhan Inler takes a shot. Blocked by John Terry.

60:24

Effort on goal by Daniel Sturridge from outside the box goes harmlessly over the bar.

59:21

Unfair challenge on Salvatore Aronica by Juan Mata results in a free kick. Andrea Dossena takes the direct free kick.

58:48

The ball is swung over by Ramires, save by Morgan De Sanctis.

57:53

Frank Lampard delivers the ball.

57:18

Michael Essien fouled by Marek Hamsik, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Michael Essien.

56:13

Salvatore Aronica fouled by Didier Drogba, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Salvatore Aronica.

54:19 Goal scored

Goal - Gokhan Inler - Chelsea 2 - 1 Napoli Gokhan Inler fires in a goal from outside the area to the bottom left corner of the goal. Chelsea 2 (3)-(4) 1 Napoli.

54:08

A cross is delivered by Andrea Dossena, clearance by John Terry.

52:58

Direct free kick taken by Ramires.

52:58 Booking

Booking Paolo Cannavaro receives a caution for unsporting behaviour.

52:55

Unfair challenge on Frank Lampard by Paolo Cannavaro results in a free kick.

52:04

Ezequiel Lavezzi takes a shot from a long way out which goes wide of the right-hand post.

51:10

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Camilo Zuniga by Ramires. Ezequiel Lavezzi delivers the ball from the free kick right-footed from right channel, clearance made by Frank Lampard.

51:00

Ezequiel Lavezzi takes a shot. Clearance by John Terry.

49:29

Short corner worked by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

49:20

Andrea Dossena delivers the ball, clearance made by Ashley Cole.

49:05

The ball is delivered by Camilo Zuniga, David Luiz manages to make a clearance.

48:09

Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Juan Mata by Ezequiel Lavezzi. John Terry takes the free kick.

47:07

Assist on the goal came from Frank Lampard.

47:07 Goal scored

Goal - John Terry - Chelsea 2 - 0 Napoli John Terry grabs a headed goal from inside the six-yard box. Chelsea 2 (3)-(3) 0 Napoli.

46:41

Ramires takes the outswinging corner,

45:01

The game restarts for the second half.

45:00 +1:13 Half time

Half Time The first half comes to an end.

45:00 +0:33

David Luiz takes a shot. Blocked by Paolo Cannavaro.

45:00 +0:13

Corner taken by Frank Lampard, save made by Morgan De Sanctis.

45:00 +0:04

Didier Drogba delivers the ball, clearance by Paolo Cannavaro.

44:28

Gokhan Inler concedes a free kick for a foul on Ashley Cole. Frank Lampard takes the direct free kick.

43:53

Ezequiel Lavezzi fouled by Michael Essien, the ref awards a free kick. Paolo Cannavaro takes the free kick.

43:14

Edinson Cavani challenges Michael Essien unfairly and gives away a free kick. Michael Essien takes the direct free kick.

42:28

Hugo Armando Campagnaro takes the free kick.

42:28 Booking

Booking Frank Lampard shown a yellow card.

42:24

Frank Lampard challenges Camilo Zuniga unfairly and gives away a free kick.

41:47

Ramires challenges Camilo Zuniga unfairly and gives away a free kick. Hugo Armando Campagnaro restarts play with the free kick.

40:27

Unfair challenge on Didier Drogba by Hugo Armando Campagnaro results in a free kick. Frank Lampard restarts play with the free kick.

39:19

Corner taken right-footed by Ezequiel Lavezzi from the left by-line, Frank Lampard makes a clearance.

39:05

Edinson Cavani takes a shot. Michael Essien gets a block in.

37:59

Michael Essien has an effort at goal from outside the penalty box which goes wide right of the target.

37:11

Free kick awarded for a foul by Andrea Dossena on David Luiz. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

35:34 Substitution

Substitution Andrea Dossena joins the action as a substitute, replacing Cristian Maggio.

33:27

Frank Lampard concedes a free kick for a foul on Ezequiel Lavezzi. Gokhan Inler restarts play with the free kick.

33:03

Free kick awarded for a foul by Marek Hamsik on Ashley Cole. Frank Lampard takes the free kick.

32:33

Close range headed effort by Juan Mata goes wide of the left-hand post.

31:00

Effort from the edge of the box by Edinson Cavani goes wide of the left-hand upright.

30:16

Corner taken by Frank Lampard played to the near post, Edinson Cavani makes a clearance.

29:05

The referee blows for offside against Edinson Cavani. Petr Cech takes the free kick.

28:01

The assist for the goal came from Ramires.

28:01 Goal scored

Goal - Didier Drogba - Chelsea 1 - 0 Napoli Didier Drogba grabs a headed goal from close in. Chelsea 1 (2)-(3) 0 Napoli.

27:58

The ball is swung over by Ramires,

26:55

Branislav Ivanovic produces a cross, save by Morgan De Sanctis.

26:37

Paolo Cannavaro concedes a free kick for a foul on Didier Drogba. Free kick taken by Juan Mata.

25:43

Didier Drogba gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Cristian Maggio. Morgan De Sanctis restarts play with the free kick.

24:39

Edinson Cavani produces a left-footed shot from just outside the box that goes wide right of the target.

23:48

The ball is swung over by Branislav Ivanovic, Salvatore Aronica makes a clearance.

20:50

Centre by Juan Mata.

20:12

Camilo Zuniga challenges Branislav Ivanovic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Free kick taken by Michael Essien.

17:12

Effort on goal by Camilo Zuniga from just outside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the target.

15:23

Daniel Sturridge is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Morgan De Sanctis.

14:51

Marek Hamsik takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

14:09

Corner taken by Ezequiel Lavezzi from the right by-line played to the near post, John Terry manages to make a clearance.

13:59

Ezequiel Lavezzi takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a save.

13:28

Juan Mata takes a inswinging corner.

12:19

Effort from inside the area by Edinson Cavani misses to the left of the target.

11:21

Effort on goal by Marek Hamsik from just inside the penalty box goes harmlessly over the target.

11:15

The ball is swung over by Hugo Armando Campagnaro, clearance by David Luiz.

10:58

Short corner worked by Ezequiel Lavezzi.

10:16

Camilo Zuniga takes a shot. Michael Essien gets a block in.

9:41

Marek Hamsik takes a shot. Save by Petr Cech.

8:53

A cross is delivered by Branislav Ivanovic.

8:04

Cristian Maggio fouled by Didier Drogba, the ref awards a free kick. Hugo Armando Campagnaro takes the free kick.

6:20

The ball is swung over by Daniel Sturridge, clearance by Hugo Armando Campagnaro.

5:06

Corner taken by Frank Lampard from the right by-line played to the near post, Camilo Zuniga manages to make a clearance.

4:53

Daniel Sturridge takes a shot. Morgan De Sanctis makes a save.

3:36

The ball is swung over by Ramires, Hugo Armando Campagnaro gets a block in.

1:21

Gokhan Inler concedes a free kick for a foul on Didier Drogba. Juan Mata produces a cross, John Terry produces a header from the edge of the box and misses to the right of the goal.

0:21

Foul by Frank Lampard on Edinson Cavani, free kick awarded. Paolo Cannavaro takes the free kick.

0:00

The referee gets the game started.

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