"There was no way that Cole could have started this game and played through to 60, 70, 80 minutes, Rosenior said. I knew that Napoli had had a difficult time with injuries. I felt that later in the game we would be stronger and I felt Cole's performance was magnificent. Not just his quality, his pressing, his running for the team."
"An excellent double from Joao Pedro and a devastating cameo from Cole Palmer ensured Rosenior's side secured a 3-2 win at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and avoided the inconvenience of having to go through next month's two-legged playoff for a place in the knockout phase. It had looked dicey when Chelsea trailed 2-1 at half-time, only for the youngest side in the competition to respond and condemn Antonio Conte's Napoli to an early exit."
Liam Rosenior's young Chelsea side overcame adversity to beat Napoli 3-2 at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona and qualify for the Champions League last 16. Joao Pedro scored a brace and Cole Palmer produced a decisive second-half cameo after coming on at half-time. Chelsea had taken an early lead through an Enzo Fernandez penalty but trailed 2-1 at half-time before responding. The win avoided a two-legged playoff and marked Chelsea's first away Champions League victory since October 2022. Rosenior praised the players' experience in handling setbacks and highlighted the need to manage Palmer's fitness after an injury-hit season.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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