Wednesday 14 March 2012

Ivanovic Gets Chelsea Win


Branislav Ivanovic scored an extra-time winner as Chelsea reached the Champions League quarter-finals with a dramatic victory over Napoli at Stamford Bridge.

Trailing 3-1 from the first leg, Chelsea went ahead against the run of play through Didier Drogba's header.

John Terry nodded in a Frank Lampard corner before Gokhan Inler's half-volley restored Napoli's advantage.

But Lampard scored a penalty to force extra time and Ivanovic fired Drogba's cross in to confirm Chelsea's progress.

It was their third straight victory since Andre Villas-Boas was sacked as manager, but surely the most important.

The Blues are the only English team to make it into the last eight and they deserved their place after a spirited display.

The draw takes place on Friday and Chelsea can be paired with APOEL, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Benfica, Marseille, Milan or Real Madrid.

They are the first team to advance despite losing by at least two goals in the first leg of a Champions League tie since 2004.