Chelsea's old guard hailed one of their finest ever performances and one of the great European comebacks as they stormed into the last eight of the Champions League.
Veterans Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard were all on target as the Blues wiped out the 3-1 first-leg deficit against Napoli and force the tie into extra-time.
Branislav Ivanovic was the unlikely goal hero, smashing in the winner in the 105th minute to clinch a 5-4 aggregate win and spark a party at Stamford Bridge. A delighted Roman Abramovich went into the dressing room to congratulate the team.
'This is one of the very best nights for us and we showed what Chelsea are made of,' roared Terry.
'We were solid, resilient and fought until the very end. We've proved we're a team. That's what we're about: desire, togetherness, sticking together when it really mattered. English football is still going strong.'
Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo had every reason to pump his fists on the touchline and leapt into the arms of Drogba on the final whistle.
Since taking charge on an interim basis after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, Di Matteo has won three games in nine days - but this was the biggest by far.
It is eight years since any Champions League team fought back from two behind in the first leg to win a knock-out tie and Chelsea will be the only English team in Friday's quarter-final draw.
'It's an absolutely huge win for us,' said Lampard. 'It was crucial that whatever the result we produced a performance to stay in the competition. Coming into this at 3-1 down, we're just glad to get through and we can really build on it.
'Barcelona and Real Madrid are obviously the big two, but there is a lot of strength. If we play with the same quality and spirit, though, we'll take on anybody.'
The crowd were becoming anxious when Drogba headed in the first in the 28th minute. Terry levelled the aggregate score with a header early in the second half but the advantage quickly swung back to Napoli when Gokhan Inler fired a half-volley past Petr Cech.
Lampard converted a penalty to take the tie into extra-time. Chelsea lost captain Terry to cramp, David Luiz hobbled through to the end but Ivanovic converted after brilliant work by Ramires and Drogba.
Di Matteo, who picked all his senior players, said: 'I've had some great nights, I have to say, but this will probably go down in the club's history to have come back from a two-goal deficit in the first leg.
'You saw the players, how they performed. They showed they care about the team, the club and the supporters. We needed to find that spirit, to play as a group and sacrifice ourselves. It means a lot to still be in the Champions League.'
Posted By MATT BARLOW
Veterans Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard were all on target as the Blues wiped out the 3-1 first-leg deficit against Napoli and force the tie into extra-time.
Branislav Ivanovic was the unlikely goal hero, smashing in the winner in the 105th minute to clinch a 5-4 aggregate win and spark a party at Stamford Bridge. A delighted Roman Abramovich went into the dressing room to congratulate the team.
'This is one of the very best nights for us and we showed what Chelsea are made of,' roared Terry.
'We were solid, resilient and fought until the very end. We've proved we're a team. That's what we're about: desire, togetherness, sticking together when it really mattered. English football is still going strong.'
Interim manager Roberto Di Matteo had every reason to pump his fists on the touchline and leapt into the arms of Drogba on the final whistle.
Since taking charge on an interim basis after the sacking of Andre Villas-Boas, Di Matteo has won three games in nine days - but this was the biggest by far.
It is eight years since any Champions League team fought back from two behind in the first leg to win a knock-out tie and Chelsea will be the only English team in Friday's quarter-final draw.
'It's an absolutely huge win for us,' said Lampard. 'It was crucial that whatever the result we produced a performance to stay in the competition. Coming into this at 3-1 down, we're just glad to get through and we can really build on it.
'Barcelona and Real Madrid are obviously the big two, but there is a lot of strength. If we play with the same quality and spirit, though, we'll take on anybody.'
The crowd were becoming anxious when Drogba headed in the first in the 28th minute. Terry levelled the aggregate score with a header early in the second half but the advantage quickly swung back to Napoli when Gokhan Inler fired a half-volley past Petr Cech.
Lampard converted a penalty to take the tie into extra-time. Chelsea lost captain Terry to cramp, David Luiz hobbled through to the end but Ivanovic converted after brilliant work by Ramires and Drogba.
Di Matteo, who picked all his senior players, said: 'I've had some great nights, I have to say, but this will probably go down in the club's history to have come back from a two-goal deficit in the first leg.
'You saw the players, how they performed. They showed they care about the team, the club and the supporters. We needed to find that spirit, to play as a group and sacrifice ourselves. It means a lot to still be in the Champions League.'
Posted By MATT BARLOW
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