Tag Archives: carballo

Alex Ferguson claims he foresaw struggle at Galatasaray

Posted on by

I knew we'd struggle: Ferguson says he feared second string would suffer in Istanbul

|

UPDATED:

00:51 GMT, 21 November 2012

Sir Alex Ferguson admitted he feared how Manchester United's patched-up defence were going to handle Galatasaray before watching his side lose in Istanbul.

Ferguson's concerns were justified as United slipped to a 1-0 defeat thanks to Burak Yilmaz's second-half header.

It cost the Red Devils their 100 per cent record in this season's competition, and means they have now conceded the first goal an incredible 12 times in 17 matches in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Not tonight: Sir Alex Ferguson knew his side could struggle in Turkey

Not tonight: Sir Alex Ferguson knew his side could struggle in Turkey

However, with 18-year-old Nick Powell hitting the bar on his first start, and Phil Jones making his first appearance of the season after back and knee problems, there were obvious plus points as well.

'We worried about set-pieces and that was the area we suffered,' said Ferguson.

'That was always going to be a problem considering the lack of experience and height.

'But otherwise it was a decent performance. Parts of the game were good and we handled the atmosphere.'

Ferguson was critical of early challenges from Felipe Melo and Semih Kaya, both of which he felt warranted red cards.

Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo opted to keep his cards in his pocket though, and Galatasaray took advantage, with Hamit Altintop twice coming close in addition to Yilmaz's fifth goal in the competition.

At least though, the damage is not as serious as 19 years ago, when United were sent crashing out of the competition.

The stadium is different as well, even if the incredible noise levels seem to be the same.

'It is a fantastic stadium and obviously an improvement from the old one,' said Ferguson.

'There is not much difference in the atmosphere.

'The biggest change since then is that we have won the competition twice and we have qualified for the last 16 this year too.'

Tough crowd: The atmosphere was hostile inside the stadium

Tough crowd: The atmosphere was hostile inside the stadium

Defeat: Jonny Evans (right) was unable to prevent a loss

Defeat: Jonny Evans (right) was unable to prevent a loss

Galatasaray will join them if they match Cluj's result at Old Trafford in a fortnight.

'We'll play a similar team against Cluj, that goes without saying,' said Ferguson.

'We've qualified and there's no reason why we shouldn't use the squad.'

Galatasaray coach Fatih Terim was understandably delighted at securing such a notable triumph.
'We deserved this victory,' he said.

'We dominated the game and in the end found the goal that we needed. When you play against a team like Manchester United, you cannot go slowly. You have to be enthusiastic and wise.

'I am fortunate my players were able to be both things this evening.'

Relaxed: Ferguson's side have already qualified

Relaxed: Ferguson's side have already qualified

Chelsea 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 2 – match report

Posted on by

Chelsea 3 Shakhtar Donetsk 2: Late Moses strike hands holders dramatic victory

|

UPDATED:

21:57 GMT, 7 November 2012

Victor Moses came off the bench to score an incredible last-gasp winner as Chelsea somehow survived a Shakhtar Donetsk onslaught to keep their Champions League fate in their own hands.

The Blues were in danger of being the first holders to crash out of the competition before Christmas as former target Willian twice cancelled out almighty howlers from goalkeeper Andriy Pyatov which gifted goals to Fernando Torres and Oscar, the latter's fourth in as many Champions League games.

Late drama: Moses is wrestled to the floor after heading home Chelsea's winner in injury time

Late drama: Moses is wrestled to the floor after heading home Chelsea's winner in injury time

Head boy: Moses scores a dramatic winner for the host with 94 minutes on the clock

Head boy: Moses scores a dramatic winner for the host with 94 minutes on the clock

Match facts

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Ramires, Mikel, Hazard, Mata, Oscar (Moses 80),Torres (Sturridge 90).

Subs Not Used: Turnbull, Romeu, Marin, Terry, Azpilicueta.

Booked: Luiz.

Goals: Torres 6, Oscar 40, Moses 90.

Shakhtar Donetsk: Pyatov, Srna, Kucher, Rakitskiy, Rat, Hubschman, Fernandinho, Alex Teixeira (Ilsinho 78), Mkhitaryan, Willian ,Luiz Adriano.

Subs Not Used: Kanibolotskiy, Stepanenko, Eduardo, Shevchuk, Douglas Costa, Chygrynskiy.

Booked: Alex Teixeira.

Goals: Willian 9,47.

Attendance: 41,067

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain).

Latest Champions League results, fixtures and table

But late substitute Moses nodded home
Mata's 94th minute corner to steal a barely-believable victory that put
Chelsea level on points with their opponents at the top of Group E with
two games remaining.

Blues boss Roberto Di Matteo refused to shy away from the importance of Wednesday night's game from the moment the final whistle went in the reverse fixture – which Chelsea lost two weeks ago – branding it must-win.

As if to drive home the point to his players, the following fortnight saw him dub the match Chelsea's biggest since the May's final and claim his side needed to produce a 'perfect' performance to succeed.

That made his decision to leave John Terry on the bench – albeit for match-fitness reasons – a massive gamble, with the holders having shipped 10 goals in the four games their captain had missed during his domestic racism ban.

The Blues were also without Ashley Cole against a team who had not lost for almost 12 months and had won an astonishing 19 of their 20 matches this term. That included the reverse fixture, in which Shakhtar never looked back after racing into an early lead.

But they saw the tables turned thanks to Pyatov, whose attempted clearance from Yaroslav Rakitskiy's backpass was closed down by Torres and careered into the net.

All smiles: Oscar is mobbed after giving Chelsea the lead at the interval

All smiles: Oscar is mobbed after giving Chelsea the lead at the interval

The visitors should have equalised when Luiz Adriano produced an airshot but they were level in the ninth minute when Willian fired home Fernandinho's cutback after a crucial slip by Ryan Bertrand. Cole's understudy, playing his biggest match since the Champions League final, was having an absolute nightmare, making a succession of basic errors that threatened to cost Chelsea.

Petr Cech prevented him diverting a corner into his own net before making an acrobatic save from Fernandinho's long-ranger.

Brace yourself: Willian scored two goals for the away side at Stamford Bridge

Brace yourself: Willian scored two goals for the away side at Stamford Bridge

Brace yourself: Willian scored two goals for the away side at Stamford Bridge

Brace yourself: Willian scored two goals for the away side at Stamford Bridge

At least Torres was looking more interested than he had in the defeat in Donetsk. He twice went close to nodding in brilliant Branislav Ivanovic crosses but, otherwise, Shakhtar were in complete control, popping the ball about as if they were the home side.

A breathtaking one-touch move almost saw them take the lead in the 32nd minute when Alex Teixeira shaved the post from 18 yards.

Chelsea fans began calling for Terry but they were soon celebrating their side going ahead completely against the run of play thanks to the madness of Pyatov and genius of Oscar.

Pyatov came charging out to head Juan Mata's harmless 40th-minute cross clear but the ball fell straight to Oscar, who produced a sublime 40-yard half-volley that sailed over the goalkeeper and into the net. Eden Hazard also forced a good fingertip save from the beleaguered stopper before a frenetic half was out.

Stung by the injustice of being behind, Shakhtar took less than two minutes to equalise again after the restart with another stunning move, Fernandinho's defence-splitting pass and Darijo Srna's cross allowing Willian to stroke home.

Cech got away with a Pyatov-like clearance and Razvan Rat's first-time half-volley clattered the post from 25 yards out before Torres wasted a great chance to turn in Hazard's free-kick after Teixeira was booked for tripping the Belgian.

Pyatov almost gifted Oscar another
clearance and Tomas Hubschman brought down Torres for a free-kick which
John Obi Mikel powered home from Mata's cross.

Opener: Torres takes advantage of a howler from the away side to score the first goal of the game before celebrating with Oscar (below)

Opener: Torres takes advantage of a howler from the away side to score the first goal of the game before celebrating with Oscar (below)

Opener: Torres takes advantage of a howler from the away side to score the first goal of the game before celebrating with Oscar

But the midfielder was rightly denied his first goal for five years by an offside flag. Chelsea, who were now on top, had genuine cause for complaint 16 minutes from time when a flying Ramires was convinced he had been bundled over in the box by Srna but referee Carlos Velasco Carballo was unmoved.

Teixeira was replaced by Ilsinho before Oscar was denied by a desperate Rat tackle and Mikel volleyed Pyatov's punch narrowly wide.

Ecstasy: Mikel looked to have scored a crucial third for the European Cup holders

Ecstasy: Mikel looked to have scored a crucial third for the European Cup holders

Agony: The Chelsea midfielder reacts after seeing his goal disallowed

Agony: The Chelsea midfielder reacts after seeing his goal disallowed

Moses came on for Oscar and Willian cleared Gary Cahill's dangerous header as Chelsea poured forward but they were almost caught out on the break, leading Luiz was booking late on and nearly a winner for Henrik Mkhitaryan.

But in the 94th minute, Chelsea won a corner which an unmarked Moses nodded in seconds before the final whistle.

Denmark v Germany and Portugal v Holland – EURO 2012 LIVE

Posted on by

EURO 2012 LIVE: Denmark v Germany and Portugal v Holland – all the action as it happens

|

UPDATED:

19:03 GMT, 17 June 2012

Follow Sportsmail's coverage of Euro 2012 as Germany look to progress to the knock-out stages as they take on Denmark, and Holland slim hopes of getting out of Group B see them needing to beat Portugal. The action kicks off at 7.45pm.

Find me on Twitter @rbsfeatures or email me at rik.sharma@dailymail.co.uk to get your views across.

MATCH FACTS

Denmark 0-0 Germany (Lviv)

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

Portugal 0-1 Holland (Kharkiv)

Goals: Van der Vaart 11

Referee: Nicola Rizzoli (Italy)

16mins: Terrible miss by Helder Postiga! The former Spurs striker is gifted the ball after some terrible play by Van der Weil but a weak shot leads to a corner.

The ball is cleared but eventually comes back to Raul Meireles, but Chelsea's midfielder slashes the ball into the near side netting.

15mins: Ronaldo drives forward against a Dutch defence backing off, but his shot hits the outside of the post and goes wide. Threatening from the super star.

He already looks better than he did against Denmark, a game in which he missed two easy chances and was generally lambasted for his display.

14mins: Van der Vaart really showed there why he should have been included from the start earlier in the tournament. Probably the best goal so far.

Meanwhile, Germany push forward against Denmark but can't break through a tough defence.

11mins: GOAL! Arjen Robben passes it (yes, really) in to Van der Vaart and the Tottenham man wraps his foot round the ball from 25 yards out and bends a stunning strike into the far left corner. Superb.

7mins: The corner is poorly cleared by goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg and Bruno Alves fires the rebound towards goal from distance, but it drops narrowly over.

6mins: First effort from Ronaldo – a free kick – is deflected over for a corner.

5mins: What a chance! Muller again with a chance at the back-post but mis-hits his shot and it's a let off for Denmark. His scuffed effort is caught by Andersen.

4mins: Bendnter's header from a corner for Denmark is comfortably collected by Manuel Neuer.

Tough: Holland must win by two goals and hope other results go their way

Tough: Holland must win by two goals and hope other results go their way

3mins: And Wesley Sneijder does similarly for Holland after a deep cross from Gregory van der Weil falls to him on the left.

2mins: Germany already playing some nice football, a good move culminating in Thomas Mueller blasting over from a tricky angle.

And we're off! A couple of seconds earlier in Lviv than at the Holland game, it must be noted.

7.40pm: All the teams are out for their anthems. Can you feel the tension rising

7.24pm: The group winners will face Greece in the next round on Friday June 22, while the runner-up will play the day before, against the Czech Republic.

7.22pm: There will be some big-name casualties tonight. Two of Robin van Persie, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Cristiano Ronaldo and self-proclaimed world's greatest Nicklas Bendtner will be leaving Euro 2012.

7.16pm: Does everyone remember the tempestuous Holland v Portugal clash in 2006 I hope tonight's game is as entertaining as that. Sixteen bookings and four red cards – some people complained that it ruined the spectacle, but I would argue otherwise. A real firecracker of a match and one of the most memorable I've ever watched.

7.03pm: My final input on the permutations front – until someone scores and we have to take stock of what's going on – is this (and it's a complex one, so get your thinking caps on):

Portugal can go through tonight if they win, draw or lose. If they lose by a one-goal margin and Denmark also lose, they go through. A draw takes them through as long as Denmark win. And a win of any kind is good enough, unless Denmark win by a one-goal margin with a scoreline that's not 1-0 or 2-1.

Just remember that if two teams are level on points, whichever side has the best head-to-head record against the other goes through. If more teams are level, it goes to goal difference and then to goals scored.

Hunting ground: Will these Portugal fans leave Kharkiv smiling or with their tails between their legs

Hunting ground: Will these Portugal fans leave Kharkiv smiling or with their tails between their legs

6.59pm: Germany just need a draw to go through as group winners. But they can still go out – if they lose by any result other than a one-goal defeat in which they score two goals AND Portgual beat Holland.

More simply, opponents Denmark know they go through if they win, or they can progress with a draw if Portugal lose.

6.56pm: Holland have put out a very aggressive side – with Rafael van der Vaart finally starting a match at Euro 2012, ahead of defensive midfielder Mark van Bommel.

It's easy to see why though – they desperately need a win by at least a two-goal margin to go through, and even then they have to hope Denmark are beaten by Germany.

Big chance: Denmark could progress if they beat Germany

Big chance: Denmark could progress if they beat Germany

6.50pm: Denmark: Andersen; Jacobsen, Agger, Kjaer, S. Poulsen; Zimling, Kvist, Mikkelsen, Eriksen, Krohn-Dehli; Bendtner

Germany: Neuer; Bender, Badstuber, Hummels, Lahm; Khedira, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Ozil, Podolski; Gomez

Close: Germany just need a point

Close: Germany just need a point

6.43pm: Holland: Stekelenburg; Van der Wiel, Vlaar, Mathijsen, Willems; De Jong, Van der Vaart; Robben, Van Persie, Sneijder; Huntelaar.

Portugal: Rui Patricio, Pereira, Bruno Alves, Pepe, Coentrao; Meireles, Veloso, Moutinho; Nani Postiga, Ronaldo

Oranje Army: Dutch fans brightening up the tournament

Oranje Army: Dutch fans brightening up the tournament

6.40pm: Good evening and welcome to Sportsmail's coverage of the final round of fixtures in Group B. It was labelled the group of death at the start of the tournament and it hasn't disappointed so far.

A quick glance at the table suggests Germany are on the verge of qualifying while Holland are on the brink of disaster, but it could all change within a matter of moments. We'll bring you the team news as soon as it's in.

Ready to go: Germany's Joachim Low watches over his side as they prepare for their final group game with Denmark

Ready to go: Germany's Joachim Low watches over his side as they prepare for their final group game with Denmark

Euro 2012: Poland 1 Greece 1 – match report

Posted on by

Poland 1 Greece 1: Szczesny nightmare with clanger then red card

|

UPDATED:

18:41 GMT, 8 June 2012

Substitute goalkeeper Przemyslaw Tyton was the hero for Poland in a dramatic European Championship opener in Warsaw in which both sides finished with 10 men.

Tyton came off the bench in the second half for the co-hosts after Arsenal goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny had been sent off for bringing down Greek substitute Dimitris Salpigidis.

Spot of bother: Greece threw away three points in the Euro 2012 opener after Giorgos Karagounis saw his penalty saved

Spot of bother: Greece threw away three points in the Euro 2012 opener after Giorgos Karagounis saw his penalty saved

MATCH FACTS

POLAND: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus (Tyton 70), Lewandowski. Subs not used: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek.

Goals: Lewandoswki 17.

Sent off: Szczesny

GREECE: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos (Kyriakos Papadopoulos 37), Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis (Salpingidis 46), Gekas (Fortounis 68), Samaras. Subs not used: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Fotakis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Goals: Salpingidis 51.

Booked: Holebas

Sent off: Papastathopoulos

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain))

The reserve goalkeeper promptly saved
the resulting spot-kick from Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis to
ensure the points were shared in a wonderfully entertaining match in
Group A at the National Stadium.

Poland will be kicking themselves,
however, after throwing it away having gone in at half-time with a
one-goal lead and with Greece down to 10 men after defender Sokratis
Papastathopoulos was sent off harshly for two innocuous yellow cards.

The Poles, who began the game with swaggering intent in front their home fans, had dominated the first half.

It was no surprise when Robert
Lewandowski gave them the perfect start after 17 minutes, although the
goal had as much to do with the poor positioning of Greek goalkeeper
Kostas Chalkias as the sharpness of Lewandowski.

Chalkias found himself flapping his
arms in no man's land to leave the Borussia Dortmund striker, who scored
a hat-trick in the German cup final last month, to head home a swinging
cross from Jakub Blaszczykowski. It was no more than the Poles
deserved.

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

Seeing red: Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny was dismissed for fouling Dimitris Salpingidis

They were hungrier, quicker to the
ball and seemingly desperate to prove that while they are the
lowest-ranked team in the tournament they have a realistic chance of
reaching the quarter finals at least.

In that 45 minutes the Greeks looked a
shadow of the organised side who had gained a reputation for being
tough to beat, having lost just one of 21 games under manager Fernando
Santos.

Net gains: Robert Lewandowski gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes with a header

Net gains: Robert Lewandowski gave his side the lead inside 20 minutes with a header

In fact, the Poles would have been
kicking themselves that they were not further ahead at half-time after
Rafal Murawski, Maciej Rybus and Lewandowski all missed clear-cut
chances.

Damien Perquis should also have
scored when the ball fell to him in the penalty area but the Polish
defender, in unfamiliar territory, drilled his shot wildly wide of the
post.

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

Pure delight: Lewandowski's strike sent the host nation into raptures, both inside and outside the ground

It looked as if the Greeks' fortune had deserted them completely, however, when Papastathopoulos saw red just before half-time.

The Greek defender had become the
first player to be booked in the tournament when he received the yellow
card from Spanish referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for what appeared an
harmless challenge with a Polish attacker.

Shock: Sokratis Papastathopoulos was harshly sent off by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for two yellow cards

Shock: Sokratis Papastathopoulos was harshly sent off by referee Carlos Velasco Carballo for two yellow cards

His second yellow was equally as
harsh when he was adjudged to have brought down Murawski. The referee,
however, produced red and Greece were down to 10 men and seemingly
heading to an opening defeat.

Perhaps fired up by the injustice the
Greeks, however, came out in the second half with more determination
and resolve and it paid off, even in they did have Szczesny to thank for
their equaliser.

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Back in it: A mistake by Szczesny allowed Dimitris Salpigidis to poke his side back on level terms

Szczesny raced out of his goal
attempting to collect Vassilis Torosidis' right-wing cross but misjudged
it totally, allowing substitute Salpigidis to score from close-range.

The drama, however, was far from
finished and the teams were down to 10 players each after 70 minutes
when Szczesny endured a moment of madness, sticking out a leg to trip
Salpigidis in the penalty area.

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

Spotlight: The new National Stadium in Warsaw was a stunning arena for the match to take place, with all the traditional pre-tournament festivities

The resulting penalty was delayed
while PSV Eindhoven goalkeeper Tyton came off the bench and Maciej Rybus
went off, but Tyton's first action was the most crucial of the match,
saving the tame spot-kick of Karagounis.

A point was probably a fair result. But what a dramatic way for Euro 2012 to begin.

Poland v Greece live

Posted on by

EURO 2012 LIVE: Poland v Greece – follow the opening game from Warsaw as it happens

|

UPDATED:

15:15 GMT, 8 June 2012

The long wait is over as Euro 2012 kicks into action when Poland play Greece in the tournament's opening game in Warsaw. Follow Sportsmail's live coverage of all the action as the 2004 winners attempt to spoil the party for the joint hosts in Group A. Send me your thoughts on the opening game here at dan.ripley@dailymail.co.uk or contact me on Twitter @Ripinho.

Poland v Greece (5pm)

Click here for the live goals as they go in

Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek,
Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski,
Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski.
Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski,
Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki,
Brozek, Tyton.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis,
Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis,
Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras.
Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas,
Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis,
Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

14.16: So let's focus on our opening game, which to be honest isn't the most appetising I have ever seen.

But let's give it a chance, South Africa v Mexico wasn't billed to be a classic but it was one of the better games at the 2010 World Cup (I know that doesn't say much considering the dire tournament that turned out to be.)

14.13: No time to waste though as the team news from our opening game between Poland and Greece is in:

Poland v Greece
Poland: Szczesny, Piszczek, Wasilewski, Perquis, Boenisch, Murawski, Polanski, Blaszczykowski, Obraniak, Rybus, Lewandowski. Subs: Sandomierski, Wojtkowiak, Kaminski, Dudka, Matuszczyk, Wawrzyniak, Sobiech, Mierzejewski, Wolski, Grosicki, Brozek, Tyton.

Greece: Chalkias, Torosidis, Papastathopoulos, Avraam Papadopoulos, Holebas, Maniatis, Katsouranis, Karagounis, Ninis, Gekas, Samaras. Subs: Tzorvas, Tzavelas, Malezas, Kyriakos Papadopoulos, Makos, Liberopoulos, Mitroglou, Salpingidis, Fotakis, Fortounis, Fetfatzidis, Sifakis.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

14.10: For the football fan at least, the European Championship is the biggest sporting event of the summer. Only the World Cup holds more importance but with so many strong sides saturated in this competition there is no where to hide at the Euros.

So as we prepare to witness 15 of the strongest teams from the continent and England* do battle, let me welcome you to Sportsmail's live coverage of the Euro 2012.

*(Just joking folks, COME ON ENGLAND!)

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra

Red alert: Poland warmed up for the tournament with friendly wins over Latvia, Slovakia and Andorra

Napoli 3 Chelsea 1: Andre Villas-Boas on the brink

Posted on by

Napoli 3 Chelsea 1: AVB on the brink as Lavezzi and Cavani punish blundering Blues

Andre Villas-Boas needed a vote of confidence more than ever tonight after Chelsea lurched to another defeat that left them in real danger of crashing out of the Champions League.

Manager Villas-Boas has repeatedly insisted his job would not depend on the outcome of the last-16 tie with Napoli but, despite an improved attacking performance, his players heaped more pressure on him with another defensive horror show.

Having thrown away winning positions countless times both at home and abroad since Villas-Boas took charge, Chelsea did so again tonight to make it five matches without a win.

Predator: Napoli striker Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring his team's second goal

Predator: Napoli striker Edinson Cavani celebrates after scoring his team's second goal

In the firing line: Andre Villa Boas faces a huge fight to save his job after another poor performance

In the firing line: Andre Villa Boas faces a huge fight to save his job after another poor performance

MATCH FACTS

Napoli: De Sanctis, Campagnaro,
Cannavaro, Aronica, Maggio, Inler, Gargano, Zuniga, Hamsik (Pandev 82), Lavezzi (Dzemaili 74),
Cavani.

Subs not used: Rosati, Grava, Dossena, Fernandez, Britos.

Goals: Lavezzi 38, 65, Cavani 45+2.

Booked: Campagnaro

Chelsea: Cech, Ivanovic, Cahill,
Luiz, Bosingwa (Cole 12), Ramires, Meireles (Essien 70), Malouda (Lamaprd 70), Sturridge, Drogba, Mata.

Subs not used: Turnbull, Torres, Mikel, Kalou.

Goals: Mata 27.

Booked: Cahill, Meireles.

Referee: Carlos Velasco Carballo (Spain)

Attendance: 60,000

They may have had a complaint about the goal that gave Napoli the lead, with Edinson Cavani appearing to turn the ball in with his shoulder, but their defending for the outstanding Ezequiel Lavezzi's double was simply shocking.

A 3-1 win was no more than Champions League surprise package Napoli deserved – despite gifting Juan Mata the opening goal – with their attacking trio wreaking havoc against a defence once again badly missing the leadership of injured captain John Terry.

Villas-Boas may also come under fire for not starting with Frank Lampard or Michael Essien in what is regarded one of the most hostile atmospheres in Europe.

Indeed, the cacophonous Napoli fans, swirling wind and driving rain gave the whole occasion an almost apocalyptic feel.

The visitors were immediately under pressure, Petr Cech needing to be alert to race off his line, while captain-for-the-night Didier Drogba briefly stayed down after a clash of heads.

Both were a prelude for worse to follow in the 10th minute when Cech produced real heroics after Cavani looked certain to convert Lavezzi's pass, the goalkeeper just getting his foot to the ball.

Equaliser: Ezequiel Lavezzi (second left) shoots past the tackle from Gary Cahill to level the scores

Equaliser: Ezequiel Lavezzi (second left) shoots past the tackle from Gary Cahill to level the scores

Handball Cavani (right) nips in ahead of Branislav Ivanovic (centre) to put Napoli ahead

Handball Cavani (right) nips in ahead of Branislav Ivanovic (centre) to put Napoli ahead

Salt in the wounds: Lavezzi beats Petr Cech to the ball to slot home Napoli's third goal of the night

Salt in the wounds: Lavezzi beats Petr Cech to the ball to slot home Napoli's third goal of the night

Injury really did then strike when Jose Bosingwa limped off with what looked like a hamstring pull, forcing a half-fit Ashley Cole on far earlier than expected.

More brilliance from Cech denied Christian Maggio from a tight angle but Napoli were looking far from secure at the back themselves and, from nothing, they gifted Chelsea the lead. Drogba found Daniel Sturridge, whose cross was inexplicably flicked back towards his own goal by Paolo Cannavaro, falling perfectly for Mata to fire left-footed beyond Morgan De Sanctis.

A stunned San Paolo struggled to process what had happened, with the visiting fans finally able to make themselves heard. They might have been celebrating again when Sturridge wasted a glorious opportunity to play in Mata for goal number two, instead greedily trying to beat his man, while the resultant corner saw David Luiz power a header narrowly over.

AVB's gamble: Chelsea left a lot of big names on the bench, including Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard

AVB's gamble: Chelsea left a lot of big names on the bench, including Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard

Chelsea were in the ascendancy but
they allowed Napoli to level seven minutes before half-time, Lavezzi
given an age with which to curl a beautiful 25-yard shot beyond Cech.

Ramires should have restored the visitors' lead when the home defence parted in front of him but he blazed over the bar.

Raul Meireles was booked for
handball, suspending himself for the second leg, and there was a
suspicion of the same as Napoli scored again two minutes into first
stoppage-time. Gokhan Inler's cross reached the far post and Cavani
leant his shoulder into the ball to turn it home, the home fans letting
off a firework in jubilation.

All downhill from here: Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata pounces on a mistake to open the scoring

All downhill from here: Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata pounces on a mistake to open the scoring

Short-lived joy: Mata celebrates after giving Chelsea the lead in southern Italy

Short-lived joy: Mata celebrates after giving Chelsea the lead in southern Italy

Villas-Boas refused to shut up shop after the interval and Marek Hamsik was forced to clear off his own line, while Florent Malouda drilled a volley too close to De Sanctis.

But Napoli should have punished another error when Meireles gave Cavani the chance to feed Lavezzi, who dragged wide.

Gary Cahill was booked for clattering into the livewire forward and Mata volleyed another shot straight at De Sanctis before a desperate Salvatore Aronica clearance denied Drogba a possible equaliser.

Feeling Blue: Didier Drogba (left) and Gary Cahill (centre) react after Lavezzi hits the target

Feeling Blue: Didier Drogba (left) and Gary Cahill (centre) react after Lavezzi hits the target

Roar: Lavezzi and Cavani celebrate during the Italian side's fine victory at the Stadio San Paolo

Roar: Lavezzi and Cavani celebrate during the Italian side's fine victory at the Stadio San Paolo

Napoli were not sitting back either and the latest Luiz howler saw them double their lead in the 65th minute, the defender kicking a long ball straight against Cavani, who squared past the stranded Cech for Lavezzi to steer into an unguarded net.

Villas-Boas responded by throwing on Lampard and Essien for Malouda and Meireles, with Lavezzi soon withdrawn for Blerim Dzemaili.

Branislav Ivanovic was unable to make the most of a goal-line scramble and Napoli almost killed the match – and perhaps the tie – when Cole cleared Maggio's open-goal effort off the line.

Goran Pandev came on for Hamsik and he too might have made it 4-1 but Drogba also went close to giving Chelsea a tie-changing second away goal when he hooked wide.