Forced into three crucial stops in the opening 20 minutes
by Hamsik twice and Lavezzi, but then was tested little as Chelsea took
a two-goal lead. Could do little about Inler’s superb strike, and was
troubled little thereafter despite Napoli’s increased pressure at 4-1.
Branislav Ivanovic
534
30
8.0
Put in some testing crosses when going forward, but first
Zuniga and then Dossena had him on his heels at times. Fired in a
forceful drive at 2-1 which stung the palms of De Sanctis, then had an
extra-time header which went narrowly wide. Eventually got his goal when
turning in Drogba’s excellent cross.
Ashley Cole
201
53
6.0
Looked to be a threat running forward, but he was too
often easily bypassed defensively, particularly when Zuniga danced
through to force a save out of Cech. Rarely at his best, but did enough
in sitting tight late on as Chelsea held on.
David Luiz
266
132
6.5
Caught out of position regularly in the early moments as
Chelsea handed plenty of chances to Napoli and was often slow to close
down his man. Passed the ball well for the most part, but could have
shown more urgency at times, and gave the ball straight to Zuniga in
extra-time, by which point he was limping badly.
John Terry
311
49
7.0
Didn’t look too convincing up against Cavani and Lavezzi,
with two or three good chances coming down his side in the first half
alone, but he rose highest to Lampard’s corner when it mattered at the
other end to put Chelsea ahead in the tie. Replaced in extra-time by
Bosingwa.
Michael Essien
327
48
7.5
Was a rock in midfield for much of the game, and made
some vital interceptions around his own area. Saw his fierce shot
deflected after De Sanctis had punched away, leading to the corner which
brought the penalty.
Ramires
374
27
7.5
Chased Lavezzi’s shadow as the forward got clear with the
Brazilian the only Chelsea player defending, but soon after was given
the time and space he needed to tee up Drogba for the opener. Worked
tremendously hard, and was one of the Blues' stand-out performers late
on.
Frank Lampard
287
59
7.0
Showed remorse immediately after going right through
Cavani in the opening minute, then failed to stop Zuniga cutting in onto
his favoured right to get a shot in as the Englishman took his time to
get up to race pace. Booked for fouling Zuniga, but then picked up the
assist for Terry’s goal and took his penalty superbly to level the tie.
Juan Mata
208
76
6.0
Didn’t get on the ball as often as Chelsea might have
liked, though he did send in some testing crosses when given the chance
to look up. Replaced by Malouda early in extra-time as Robero Di Matteo
looked to inject fresh legs.
Didier DrogbaTop of the Match
607
79
8.0
Turned back the years will a magnificent header from
Ramires’ cross to open the scoring, then his wonderful left-foot shot on
the turn brought the best out of De Sanctis. Provided a threatening
figurehead throughout, leaving Napoli living on their nerve ends at
times, and brilliantly turned on the ball to set up Ivanovic’s winner.
Daniel Sturridge
159
127
6.5
Got a snap shot away which forced De Sanctis into a sharp
save in the first five minutes, but then should have done better when
he failed to make decent contact on a header from Ivanovic’s cross.
Always looked a danger as he drifted into space, and looked upset to be
replaced by Torres just after the hour.
• Substitutions
José Bosingwa
173
41
6.5
Came on for skipper Terry and helped to bolster the back line in extra-time.
Florent Malouda
165
67
6.0
Brought on as a replacement for Mata but had little other than the odd break to show his worth.
Fernando Torres
397
94
6.0
Replaced Sturridge in the 63rd minute and showed some
nice touches, but never really got a chance in front of goal until the
onrushing De Sanctis allowed him an open goal, but he couldn’t steer the
ball on target.
7.0
Reacted quickly to keep out Sturridge’s early strike, but
then was left short-handed by his defence from set pieces. Made a
superb instinctive save from Ivanovic, then produced an even better
full-length drive to deny Drogba to help send the game into extra-time,
but almost handed Torres a goal on a plate.
Salvatore Aronica
29
57
5.0
Caught on his heels a little as Drogba moved into a
scoring position on the opener, and was regularly left making rash
tackles as he chased the game somewhat at times. Spent too much time
standing off and not enough time tackling.
Hugo Armando Campagnaro
19
53
5.5
Showed a cool head to deny Drogba at the far post just as
Chelsea had their tails up after the first goal, but his defending was
ragged for the most part. Should have done more to challenge Terry after
Cannavaro had let him run as Chelsea went two up.
Juan Camilo Zúñiga
28
42
6.0
Did ok on the left before being switched due to Maggio’s
injury. From the right, he looked more comfortable, and should have made
it 2-2 after dancing straight past Ashley Cole. Overall though, he
didn't have quite the necessary verve to help Napoli through.
Paolo CannavaroFlop of the Match
33
93
5.0
Stretched out magnificently to stop Drogba getting on the
end of David Luiz’s dangerous cross on the stroke of half-time, but
then allowed Terry to run into space to score the second goal. Failed to
ever get on top of Drogba in general play and he was most culpable for
Napoli defending extremely poorly from set-pieces.
Christian Maggio
43
32
6.5
Showed great energy to beat his man and get a great low
cross in for Cavani to shoot just wide. Then defended superbly in the
air when up against Drogba, but stood off Ramires to allow the time and
space needed to tee up Drigba for the opener. Replaced not long before
the break due to injury.
Marek Hamsik
33
80
5.5
Had a great early chance deflected, allowing Cech to kick
the ball away, then had another effort saved from outside the box. His
delicious volley at the start of extra-time just cleared the bar, but
his reluctance to make quicker decisions counted against him.
W. Gargano
24
37
6.0
Drove into all the right spaces on the ball, almost
always picking the simple pass to a better-placed player until the
latter stages, and generally made it difficult for Chelsea to take the
ball off him. Defensively, he was his dogged self, giving the Blues very
little time on the ball, making some crucial tackles in testing areas.
Gökhan Inler
71
43
6.0
Had been guilty of giving away possession two or three
times when his team were well placed, but more than made up for it with
great chest control and a magnificent half-volley to put Napoli back
ahead on aggregate.
Edinson Cavani
50
81
6.0
Fired just wide after great work from Maggio, but then
should have done more to equalise when sent through on a fast counter.
Could have done more to free space for himself at times, but Napoli had
plenty of chances when he dragged his marker away from the middle.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
94
47
6.5
Got in behind Ramires well early on, only to fire at
Cech, then led many an attack from the middle, feeding Cavani in one
notable break from which the Uruguayan should have scored. Faded
afterwards, although he remained Napoli's chief threat.
• Substitutions
Andrea Dossena
17
54
5.5
Replaced the injured Maggio before the break and was
coping reasonably well until throwing his hand out to give away a
senseless penalty to bring Chelsea level. Then proved unable to help
drag his side back into a position of supremacy, as his verve couldn't
make up for his defensive lapses, and his standing off Ramires led to
the winner.
Goran Pandev
39
55
6.0
Brought on for the second period of extra-time in place
of Hamsik, but apart from one poor pass on the turn he had little chance
to shine.
Eduardo Vargas
31
40
N/A
Given 10 minutes to have an effect, but saw hardly any of the ball.
Chelsea FC
Petr Cech
322
20
7.0
Forced into three crucial stops in the opening 20 minutes
by Hamsik twice and Lavezzi, but then was tested little as Chelsea took
a two-goal lead. Could do little about Inler’s superb strike, and was
troubled little thereafter despite Napoli’s increased pressure at 4-1.
Branislav Ivanovic
534
30
8.0
Put in some testing crosses when going forward, but first
Zuniga and then Dossena had him on his heels at times. Fired in a
forceful drive at 2-1 which stung the palms of De Sanctis, then had an
extra-time header which went narrowly wide. Eventually got his goal when
turning in Drogba’s excellent cross.
Ashley Cole
201
53
6.0
Looked to be a threat running forward, but he was too
often easily bypassed defensively, particularly when Zuniga danced
through to force a save out of Cech. Rarely at his best, but did enough
in sitting tight late on as Chelsea held on.
David Luiz
266
132
6.5
Caught out of position regularly in the early moments as
Chelsea handed plenty of chances to Napoli and was often slow to close
down his man. Passed the ball well for the most part, but could have
shown more urgency at times, and gave the ball straight to Zuniga in
extra-time, by which point he was limping badly.
John Terry
311
49
7.0
Didn’t look too convincing up against Cavani and Lavezzi,
with two or three good chances coming down his side in the first half
alone, but he rose highest to Lampard’s corner when it mattered at the
other end to put Chelsea ahead in the tie. Replaced in extra-time by
Bosingwa.
Michael Essien
327
48
7.5
Was a rock in midfield for much of the game, and made
some vital interceptions around his own area. Saw his fierce shot
deflected after De Sanctis had punched away, leading to the corner which
brought the penalty.
Ramires
374
27
7.5
Chased Lavezzi’s shadow as the forward got clear with the
Brazilian the only Chelsea player defending, but soon after was given
the time and space he needed to tee up Drogba for the opener. Worked
tremendously hard, and was one of the Blues' stand-out performers late
on.
Frank Lampard
287
59
7.0
Showed remorse immediately after going right through
Cavani in the opening minute, then failed to stop Zuniga cutting in onto
his favoured right to get a shot in as the Englishman took his time to
get up to race pace. Booked for fouling Zuniga, but then picked up the
assist for Terry’s goal and took his penalty superbly to level the tie.
Juan Mata
208
76
6.0
Didn’t get on the ball as often as Chelsea might have
liked, though he did send in some testing crosses when given the chance
to look up. Replaced by Malouda early in extra-time as Robero Di Matteo
looked to inject fresh legs.
Didier Drogba
Top of the Match
607
79
8.0
Turned back the years will a magnificent header from
Ramires’ cross to open the scoring, then his wonderful left-foot shot on
the turn brought the best out of De Sanctis. Provided a threatening
figurehead throughout, leaving Napoli living on their nerve ends at
times, and brilliantly turned on the ball to set up Ivanovic’s winner.
Daniel Sturridge
159
127
6.5
Got a snap shot away which forced De Sanctis into a sharp
save in the first five minutes, but then should have done better when
he failed to make decent contact on a header from Ivanovic’s cross.
Always looked a danger as he drifted into space, and looked upset to be
replaced by Torres just after the hour.
• Substitutions
José Bosingwa
173
41
6.5
Came on for skipper Terry and helped to bolster the back line in extra-time.
Florent Malouda
165
67
6.0
Brought on as a replacement for Mata but had little other than the odd break to show his worth.
Fernando Torres
397
94
6.0
Replaced Sturridge in the 63rd minute and showed some
nice touches, but never really got a chance in front of goal until the
onrushing De Sanctis allowed him an open goal, but he couldn’t steer the
ball on target.
<a></a>
SSC Napoli
Morgan De Sanctis
101
32
7.0
Reacted quickly to keep out Sturridge’s early strike, but
then was left short-handed by his defence from set pieces. Made a
superb instinctive save from Ivanovic, then produced an even better
full-length drive to deny Drogba to help send the game into extra-time,
but almost handed Torres a goal on a plate.
Salvatore Aronica
29
57
5.0
Caught on his heels a little as Drogba moved into a
scoring position on the opener, and was regularly left making rash
tackles as he chased the game somewhat at times. Spent too much time
standing off and not enough time tackling.
Hugo Armando Campagnaro
19
53
5.5
Showed a cool head to deny Drogba at the far post just as
Chelsea had their tails up after the first goal, but his defending was
ragged for the most part. Should have done more to challenge Terry after
Cannavaro had let him run as Chelsea went two up.
Juan Camilo Zúñiga
28
42
6.0
Did ok on the left before being switched due to Maggio’s
injury. From the right, he looked more comfortable, and should have made
it 2-2 after dancing straight past Ashley Cole. Overall though, he
didn't have quite the necessary verve to help Napoli through.
Paolo Cannavaro
Flop of the Match
33
93
5.0
Stretched out magnificently to stop Drogba getting on the
end of David Luiz’s dangerous cross on the stroke of half-time, but
then allowed Terry to run into space to score the second goal. Failed to
ever get on top of Drogba in general play and he was most culpable for
Napoli defending extremely poorly from set-pieces.
Christian Maggio
43
32
6.5
Showed great energy to beat his man and get a great low
cross in for Cavani to shoot just wide. Then defended superbly in the
air when up against Drogba, but stood off Ramires to allow the time and
space needed to tee up Drigba for the opener. Replaced not long before
the break due to injury.
Marek Hamsik
33
80
5.5
Had a great early chance deflected, allowing Cech to kick
the ball away, then had another effort saved from outside the box. His
delicious volley at the start of extra-time just cleared the bar, but
his reluctance to make quicker decisions counted against him.
W. Gargano
24
37
6.0
Drove into all the right spaces on the ball, almost
always picking the simple pass to a better-placed player until the
latter stages, and generally made it difficult for Chelsea to take the
ball off him. Defensively, he was his dogged self, giving the Blues very
little time on the ball, making some crucial tackles in testing areas.
Gökhan Inler
71
43
6.0
Had been guilty of giving away possession two or three
times when his team were well placed, but more than made up for it with
great chest control and a magnificent half-volley to put Napoli back
ahead on aggregate.
Edinson Cavani
50
81
6.0
Fired just wide after great work from Maggio, but then
should have done more to equalise when sent through on a fast counter.
Could have done more to free space for himself at times, but Napoli had
plenty of chances when he dragged his marker away from the middle.
Ezequiel Lavezzi
94
47
6.5
Got in behind Ramires well early on, only to fire at
Cech, then led many an attack from the middle, feeding Cavani in one
notable break from which the Uruguayan should have scored. Faded
afterwards, although he remained Napoli's chief threat.
• Substitutions
Andrea Dossena
17
54
5.5
Replaced the injured Maggio before the break and was
coping reasonably well until throwing his hand out to give away a
senseless penalty to bring Chelsea level. Then proved unable to help
drag his side back into a position of supremacy, as his verve couldn't
make up for his defensive lapses, and his standing off Ramires led to
the winner.
Goran Pandev
39
55
6.0
Brought on for the second period of extra-time in place
of Hamsik, but apart from one poor pass on the turn he had little chance
to shine.
Eduardo Vargas
31
40
N/A
Given 10 minutes to have an effect, but saw hardly any of the ball.