The Blues went into our final league phase fixture knowing that victory would all but ensure we avoided knockout phase play-offs, and we opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Enzo Fernandez converted a penalty.

Napoli hit back, however. Antonio Vergara struck a fine solo goal before Rasmus Hojlund netted to send Liam Rosenior's side into the interval behind.

A second-half fightback was required from the Blues – and it was produced. Joao Pedro levelled with a thunderous strike on the hour-mark and, with eight minutes to play, the Brazilian struck again to clinch an invaluable three points for the Blues.

Our win, coupled with results elsewhere, meant we finished the league phase in sixth place. It was a deserved reward for our efforts at one of Europe's most challenging stadiums.

Starting well

Rosenior made two changes to his side. Malo Gusto and Wesley Fofana returned to the Blues backline, with Trevoh Chalobah and Benoit Badiashile named among our substitutes.

Napoli entered the game 25th in the league phase standings; the Serie A side had to win to ensure their European campaign continued. That jeopardy ensured a fervent atmosphere inside the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. It was a test of the Blues' maturity.

The opening quarter-hour was handled well by the Blues. We kept possession and attempted to quieten the home support as Napoli dropped back into their 3-4-2-1 shape. We also had the first shot on target of the evening – an Andrey Santos header saved by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret.

Going ahead

Then came a key moment. Joao Pedro earned Chelsea a free-kick 25 yards from goal that James fired toward goal. The ball inadvertently struck Juan Jesus' arm and a penalty was awarded. After a two-minute delay, Fernandez kept his composure to convert from 12 yards.

Napoli needed to respond and went from attempting to absorb pressure to taking the initiative – and Robert Sanchez had to be alert to push clear and collect several crosses. It was a signal of the hosts' intent.

But that left more space for the Blues to exploit and a break from Pedro Neto saw him advance into the box and force a save from Meret. Joao Pedro produced an overhead kick on the rebound, only for his effort to bounce wide.

That proved a rare sight of goal for Rosenior's side as the half progressed. Napoli applied greater pressure, which paid off in the 33rd minute.

Napoli respond

The equaliser was a moment of magic from Vergara, as he collected the ball, escaped pressure from Moises Caicedo, spun expertly past Fofana and slotted his finish into the far corner.

The goal lifted the home support; Napoli responded further to it. They continued to push the Blues back and, shortly before half time, went ahead. Mathias Olivera produced a driving, underlapping run from wing-back and was fed the ball. He crossed low and Hojlund was able to fire home via the post.

There was very little time for the Blues to respond before the interval, yet we did fashion a good chance as Pedro Neto made space to cross and his back-post delivery was met by Joao Pedro. Unfortunately, the Brazilian couldn't keep his header down and went into the break behind.

A change

Rosenior made a switch at half time. Cole Palmer, back in the squad following a thigh issue, was introduced for Neto. There was work for the Blues to do, as we had dropped to 12th in the league phase table.

Napoli had the result they needed to and were disciplined in their shape, which morphed into a 5-4-1 when out of possession. There was little margin for error for the Blues in the final third.

As the hour-mark approached, Rosenior turned to his bench once more. Trevoh Chalobah replaced Gusto in a switch that saw James move to right-back, and Jamie Gittens was introduced for Andrey Santos, with Enzo Fernandez dropping deeper. It led to an instant response.

Drawing level

From our first attack after the substitutions, James fed the ball to Estevao from right-back and played a pass to Palmer. The England international found Joao Pedro 25 yards out and with his back to the Napoli goal.

However, he spun away from pressure, shifted the ball onto his left foot and powered an unstoppable shot beyond Meret. It was a stunning goal.

The game was firmly in the balance with 30 minutes to play. We sat outside of the top eight on goal difference. Napoli were set to miss out on the play-off places. Yet there was no immediate urgency displayed by the hosts and a spell followed in which the Blues looked the more threatening.

With a quarter of an hour to play, Alejandro Garnacho was introduced in place of Estevao. Soon after, former Blue Romelu Lukaku stepped on for Napoli. The minutes ticked down. Would there be a winner?

Striking late

The answer came moments later. Yes, there would – and it was a Chelsea winner. It was wonderfully worked, too. After reclaiming the ball in our defensive third, Fernandez fed Joao Pedro, who laid the ball off to Palmer before bursting into the Napoli half.

Palmer knocked his pass into the Brazilian's stride and he advanced 30 yards before unerringly striking his shot across goal and into the corner.

It was a knockout blow from which Napoli couldn't recover, and one that catapulted Chelsea back into the top eight.

There was one late chance for the home side. It fell to Lukaku, but Sanchez saved the Belgian striker's close-range effort. The full-time whistle was blown soon after. Our place in the Round of 16 was secured.

What it means

Our sixth-place finish means we avoid the knockout phase play-offs and advance directly into the Champions League Round of 16.

What comes next

We are back at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as we take on London rivals West Ham United in the Premier League.

The teams

Chelsea: Sanchez; Gusto (Chalobah 59), James (c), Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Andrey Santos (Gittens 59, Badiashile 89); Estevao (Garnacho 74), Fernandez, Neto (Palmer 46); Joao Pedro
Chelsea substitutes: Jorgensen, Merrick, Acheampong, Hato, George, Delap, Guiu
Goalscorers: Fernandez 19 pen, Joao Pedro 61, 82
Booked:

Napoli: Meret; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Jesus (Gutierrez 67); Spinazzola (Beukema 81), Lobotka, McTominay, Olivera; Vergara, Hojlund, Elmas (Lukaku 81)
Napoli substitutes: Contini, Spinelli, De Chiara, Garofalo
Goalscorers: Vergara 33, Hojlund 43
Booked: Jesus 17