Two sublime strikes from Joao Pedro fired Chelsea into the Champions League round of 16 as they finished sixth in the league phase table after a 3-2 win at Napoli.

The Blues were in a precarious position heading into the final game - only in the top eight on goal difference as they looked to avoid two additional games in the knockout play-offs.

Chelsea made a perfect start when they were awarded an early penalty. Juan Jesus was penalised for handball from a Blues free-kick, and despite his protests, it stood as Enzo Fernandez lined it up.

He then used all of his power to send the ball past Alex Meret - but the setback seemed to rouse Napoli into life.

They started to overrun Chelsea in the hunt for an equaliser, which deservedly came just after half an hour. It was Maradona-esque from hometown boy Antonio Vergara as he charged into the box, spinning past Wesley Fofana before slotting home.

And just before the break, Manchester United loanee Rasmus Hojlund smashed Napoli ahead, getting across the front of Fofana before hammering home.

Chelsea had set up with a three at the back in Naples, with Liam Rosenior attempting to take on the 3-4-3 master Antonio Conte at his own game.

But it was clear by half-time the tactics were not working. Cole Palmer was introduced at the break, but there was no change of shape, which Sky Sports' Paul Merson said was 'not a good move'.

"It's not the substitution, it's the system they should have changed," he added on Soccer Special.

Eventually, with the introduction of Jamie Gittens and Trevoh Chalobah in the 59th minute, Chelsea finally reverted to a back four and perhaps it was no surprise that mere minutes later, the Blues equalised.

It was the first of two wonderful goals from Pedro, who skipped the ball around his defender before thundering the ball home from the top of the area.

From then on, Chelsea looked far more comfortable and won it with eight minutes of normal time to play. It was another clinical finish from Pedro, finishing low past Meret, and the goalkeeper could only watch the ball roll past his weak outstretched foot.

It was the Blues' first Champions League away win of the season and they finished with 16 points and ahead of Sporting and Manchester City. Chelsea will not play in Europe again until March and will face one of Qarabag, Monaco, Newcastle or PSG.

For Napoli though, it is a disaster of a European campaign as they are knocked out in the league phase. Their entire season has been decimated by injuries, but there is shock as to how the Serie A champions have finished 30th out of 36 teams.

Rosenior admits he had to 'correct' set up in Napoli win

Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior to TNT Sports: "I thought the character of the players, the resilience in the second half, the reaction to going behind was so positive - all the things I'm asking for.

"I wanted to go aggressive in the first half. We had wing-back moments in their half, but at the same time, the distances were too big. We corrected it at half-time, I made personnel changes.

"Joao Pedro scored some magnificent goals in a magnificent performance from him. He's given that to me since I came to the club. All in all, we're through, and we're delighted.

"A team hasn't won here in a long time so for the lads to come from behind and show character, it makes me very happy.

"I'm learning all the time about my team, what we're capable of, about what I need to tweak and adapt for them but we really wanted to be front-footed today. I wanted to go out and try and win the game, which was so important.

"In the end, we did but in a different way than I expected.

"I've got outstanding players. I've got a group and I trust them and the subs are always the players that make the difference in the big games."

Pedro: My goals were brilliant

Joao Pedro speaking to TNT Sports:

"Very happy for the victory. The team did a brilliant game.

"My goals... I tried to do my best to help my team-mates. Today I scored two brilliant goals.

"The coach said to be calm, play our game on the pitch. The first half we didn't do it, the second half was open so it's why we scored two goals.

"It's very positive for us. People had a lot of doubts about us. I'm happy. Now it's time to focus on the Premier League."

On not having to play knockout play-off games: "It's massive for us to really be able to work with the players on the training ground because the schedule has meant we've played, we've recovered, we're prepped a game and gone again.

"So to actually work with the players on the training pitch and for them to understand what we want to do as a staff with them will be great.

"I can run them and get them fitter as well which will be good.

"You have to enjoy these moments, but we want more. We have some huge games coming up, starting with West Ham on Saturday.

"You're in the Champions League and to win this competition, you have to beat the best. Whoever we play, we'll give it our best shot. I'm just delighted that we're through in this manner."

How do CL knockout fixtures fit into Chelsea's schedule?

Saturday January 31 - West Ham (h), Premier League, kick-off 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Tuesday February 3 - Arsenal (a), Carabao Cup semi-final second leg, kick-off 8pm, live on Sky Sports
Saturday February 7 - Wolves (a), Premier League, 3pm
Tuesday February 10 - Leeds (h), Premier League, 7.30pm
Friday February 13 - Hull (a), FA Cup, 7.45pm
Saturday February 21 - Burnley (h), Premier League, 3pm
Sunday March 1 - Arsenal (a), Premier League, 4.30pm, live on Sky Sports
Wednesday March 4 - Aston Villa (a), Premier League, 7.30pm
March 10/11 - Champions League round of 16 first leg
Saturday March 14 - Newcastle (h), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports
March 17/18 - Champions League round of 16 second leg
Saturday March 21 - Everton (a), Premier League, 5.30pm, live on Sky Sports

Teams

Napoli Meret, Di Lorenzo (c), Buongiorno, Jesus (Gutierrez 67), Spinazzola Beukema 82), Lobotka, McTominay, Olivera, Vergara, Elmas (Lukaku 82), Hojlund
Subs Not Used Spinelli, Contini, Garofalo, De Chiar
Booked Jesus, Elmas
Goals Vergara 33, Hojlund 43

Chelsea Sanchez; Gusto (Chalobah 59), James (c), Fofana, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos (Gittens 59) (Badiashile 90); Estevao (Garnacho 74), Fernandez, Neto (Palmer 46); Joao Pedro
Subs Not Used Jorgensen, Merrick, Acheampong, Hato, George, Delap, Guiu
Booked Fofana
Goals Fernandez 19 (pen), Joao Pedro 61, 82

Attendance 46,513

Referee Clement Turpin (France)

VAR Jerome Brisard (France)