Chelsea’s Champions League future is hanging by a thread after their 3-1 defeat to Napoli this evening.
The Blues took the lead then caved in.
Chelsea threw away a golden opportunity to dispel all the criticism from the naysayers that said that this team was in decline and the manager Andre Villas-Boas was living on borrowed time.
Sadly it was Groundhog Day once again for the west Londoners as they capitulated from a dominate position after taking the lead to losing 3-1.
More awkward questions will be levelled at Villas-Boas over his chosen first X1.
The manager left Frank Lampard, Michael Essien and most bizarre of all Ashley Cole on the bench.
Before the night out all three had to be used by Villas-Boas in a desperate attempt to salvage the tie and keep his side in the Champions League.
But the night started well enough for the Blues even if they had to look to Petr Cech to produce a wonderful save with his legs to foil Cavani on 10 minutes after Gary Cahill was left exposed by a deft through ball.
Ashley Cole dropped to the bench by Andre Villas-Boas was forced into the fray seconds later when it appeared that Jose Bosingwa pulled a hamstring and was replaced by the England left back.
Cech was in action 10 minutes later parrying away a smart right-footer from Maggio after Cole allowed the striker to get behind him.
When Chelsea did obtain possession, they manage to make excellent inroads into Napoli’s last third, and on 26 minutes one period of possession paid dividends.
Didier Drogba fed Daniel Sturridge on the right and the striker sent in a miscued pass. Cannavaro made a complete hash of the ball allowing Juan Mata the simple task of sliding home a left-footed volley from just 10 yards out past De Sanctis.
David Luiz almost doubled their lead on 35 minutes but a powerful header inched over the home side’s crossbar.
But Napoli equalized in fine style two minutes later. A fine curling right-footer by Lavezzi from just outside the Chelsea area eluded the desperate left-sided dive by Cech.
Ramires flashed a left footer over the Napoli bar a minute later as the Blues went in search of a second goal.
Neither side looked capable of defending with any confidence. A minute into injury time Inler produced a speculative long-range free-kick but Cech’s goal was not troubled as the ball sailed over the bar.
But Cavani, far on the left got behind ball watching Ivanovic and Cahill to shoulder the ball high into Cech’s net to give the home side the lead.
A scintillating 90 yard run by Ivanovic, which was eventually snuffed out, was the final action of the first half as the Blues trundled off the pitch looking shell-shocked.
With both sides effectively playing on the counter-attack, little time was spend with midfield drudgery, giving the semblance of non-stop attack.
Chelsea’s Florent Malouda had the first attack on goal in the second half, on 48 minutes when, but his snap shot from 15 yards out was well held by De Sanctis.
Live wire Lavezzi squandered a great chance to put the game out of Chelsea’s reach on 55 minutes but screwed his left footed shot, from just outside the penalty area wide of Cech.
Efforts by Mata and Drogba suggested that the Blues could regain control of the match but each time the final effort lacked potency.
Pushing forward meant space at the back and Chelsea suffered on 65 minutes. Luiz failed to challenge Cavani on the edge of Chelsea’s area allowing the stinker to slide the ball square to in-running Lavezzi who slotted home with consummate ease.
Villas-Boas realising perhaps far too late that their midfield was in disarray chose to bring on the old guard bringing on Michael Essien for Meireles and Frank Lampard for Malouda to restore a 4-3-3 formation with 20 minutes remaining.
Napoli should have hit number four with 10 minutes remaining. Another excellent break by the home side saw Maggio with the seemingly easy chance to score but luckily for the Blues Cole was on the line and cleared the shot.
The Blues will have to defeat Napoli at Stamford Bridge in three weeks’ time. Will Villas-Boas be in charge then?