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It was a wonderful game of football. Fast, fluent, fiercely competitive, with Chelsea pressing relentlessly but Napoli always looking so, so dangerous on the counter-attack. After 20 minutes Napoli’s shots on goal outnumbered Chelsea’s by 10 to two. The first opportunity had fallen to Daniel Sturridge, who forced a decent save from Morgan de Sanctis.
But it was not long before Walter Mazzarri’s side reminded Chelsea of the threat they pose. One clever ball from the excellent Ezequiel Lavezzi and Marek Hamsik was unleashing a shot that Petr Cech had to save with an outstretched foot.
The tempo of the game was terrific, the intensity incredible. Edinson Cavani, who scored one of Napoli’s three goals last month, so nearly struck again thanks to a fine delivery from Christian Maggio but he shot into the side-netting when it seemed he would score.
Pure delight: Drogba (right) celebrates after scoring Chelsea's first goal against Napoli
Cech would then make another save, this time to deny Lavezzi. But then came this sudden sense of hope; this sense that it might still be possible. Then came Drogba’s 29th-minute goal.
Double trouble: John Terry (centre) heads Chelsea into a two-goal lead against Napoli
It was beautifully executed, Drogba getting in front of his marker to meet a right-foot cross from the left from Ramires with a thumping header. Game on.
Hopes and expectations were raised further a minute later when Drogba almost scored again, but Hugo Campagnaro just denied him the chance to strike as he arrived to meet a super delivery from Sturridge.
Putting our heads together: Terry (right) celebrates his goal with centre-back partner David Luiz
The loss to injury of Maggio, so dangerous on the right flank, enhanced Chelsea’s chances and Terry’s goal came only two minutes into the second half when Campagnaro needlessly headed the ball out for a corner.
Up stepped Juan Mata to deliver from the right and up stepped Terry to send Chelsea, for that moment at least, into the last eight. The moment, however, lasted only seven minutes as Napoli responded with a breathtaking 30-yard half-volley from Gokhan Inler.
Back in it: Gokhan Inler (right) fired Napoli ahead on aggregate at Stamford Bridge
But this was not going to be another European night when Chelsea cursed their cruel luck. This was going to be their night, and when Andrea Dossena blocked an Ivanovic header in the 75th minute with his hand, Lampard had the opportunity to score from the penalty spot.
Get in! Inler celebrates his goal for Napoli with his delighted team-mates
Cool as you like, he did just that and he probably should have been given a second such chance when Salvatore Aronica dragged down Drogba with both hands.
Instead, the contest moved into extra time. Terry lasted eight more minutes, some words of inspiration for Jose Bosingwa, his replacement, being his last act. It was not Chelsea’s last act though. Not last night and not in this competition either, after Ivanovic secured their place in the draw for the quarter-finals in emphatic style.
Level pegging: Frank Lampard fires home a penalty in the second half to equalise on aggregate
This team might not be together for much longer but they are not done yet. Not by a long way.
More to come: Lampard celebrates after his goal took the tie into extra time
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