toptop
Diego
Costa scored his 10th league goal of the season as Chelsea beat Middlesbrough
1-0 to move to the top of the Premier League on Sunday.
The striker reacted quickest to turn home from a corner in the 41st minute at
the Riverside.
Pedro fired against the underside of the bar in the second half as Chelsea
largely controlled the contest on their way to a sixth straight win and clean
sheet.
The victory sends Chelsea a point clear of Manchester City and Liverpool at the
top of the table, and means they end a weekend at the summit for the first time
since they were champions in the 2014/15 season.
While it was not as emphatic as the Blues' 5-0 drubbing of Everton, it was
another resolute defensive display as they restricted Boro to few clear
openings.
For the first time in the Premier League, Chelsea named the same starting
line-up for a fifth game in a row, with Costa and Eden Hazard fit to start
despite doubts after returning from international duty.
George Friend missed out for Boro with injury so Fabio made his first league
appearance, while Gaston Ramirez came in for Stewart Downing.
Boro had held Arsenal and Manchester City to draws before the international
break and they showed their resilience in the early stages while also
threatening down the flanks.
The only half chances for Chelsea saw Victor Moses slash a shot wide and Marcos
Alonso miss the target with an effort from distance.
But the Blues did step it up as the half wore on and Victor Valdes pulled off a
fine save to deny Pedro from Moses' cut-back. Alvaro Negredo headed over at the
other end in a rare opening for the hosts.
The breakthrough arrived in the 41st minute as a corner was deflected up into
the air and Costa was the first to react to volley into the net.
Chelsea continued to control the game after half-time and Alonso saw a low shot
saved by Valdes.
Boro spurned an opening when Ramirez missed the target from the edge of the
area, before Chelsea created a couple of clear chances in quick succession.
First, Pedro fired against the underside of the bar from Costa's knock down,
before Moses shot over after being slipped through on goal.
The misses kept Boro in the game but they only once tested Thibaut Courtois as
Negredo controlled well and then saw a shot tipped around the post.
Otherwise, it was comfortable for Chelsea as they secured another win and clean
sheet.
Player ratings
Middlesbrough: Valdes (7), Barragan (6), Chambers (6), Gibson
(6), Da Silva (5), Traore (6), Forshaw (5), Clayton (5), De Roon (5), Ramirez
(5), Negredo (6).
Subs: Leadbitter (5), Fischer (5), Downing (5).
Chelsea: Courtois (6), Azpilicueta (6), Luiz (7), Cahill (7),
Moses (8), Kante (6), Matic (7), Alonso (8), Pedro (7), Costa (7), Hazard (7).
Subs: Ivanovic (5), Oscar (5), Chalobah (5).
Man of the match: Victor Moses.
Teams
Middlesbrough Valdes, Barragan, Chambers, Gibson (c), Da Silva
(Downing 71), Traore, Forshaw (Leadbitter 89), Clayton (Fischer 73), de Roon,
Ramirez, Negredo
Subs Not Used Bernardo, Rhodes, Guzan, Nsue
Booked Clayton, Chambers
Goals
Chelsea Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill (c), Moses
(Ivanovic 90), Matic, Kante, Alonso, Pedro (Chalobah 80), Costa, Hazard (Oscar
90+2)
Subs Not Used Begovic, Terry, Fabregas, Batshuayi
Booked Azpilicueta, Luiz, Kante
Goals Costa 41
Attendance 32,704
Referee Jonathan Moss