Middlesbrough 0 Chelsea 1: Watch highlights as Diego Costa scores tenth goal of the season to send Blues top of Premier League

CHELSEA took control of the Premier League title race by going top of the table thanks for a Diego Costa strike.

The Spain striker sank the home side at the Riverside with an instinctive first-half strike that took him to 10 in the league already this season.

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The hulking forward reacted quickest in the packed Boro box four minutes before the break to put his side ahead.

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And, at the other end of the water-tight Antonio Conte team, Thibaut Courtois pulled off a couple of fine saves to put his side at the head of the pack.

FACTS, STATS, GOALS AND LOLS

• This was Chelsea’s first visit to the Riverside since February 27 2013 when they won 2-0 in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The only player from both sides who appeared in that match – and started this one – was Chelsea’s Victor Moses who scored. After that win, Rafa Benitez hammered Chelsea’s fans for having an “agenda” against him and also criticised the club for giving him the title of interim manager.
• Chelsea went into this game with a stunning defensive record. Since switching to a three-man defence at half-time against Arsenal – while trailing 3-0 - they had not conceded a single goal – a run of five-and-a-half games. This was also the first time Chelsea have named the same starting XI for five games in succession.
• Aitor Karanka was celebrating his third year in charge at Boro. This makes him the fifth longest-serving manager currently in the Premier League.
• Boro defender Fabio Da Silva made his first Premier appearance since May 2014 when he was at Cardiff. It was a 2-1 defeat . . . against Chelsea. And he was not much better this time around.

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• Eden Hazard certainly knew he was in a game. He had his shirt pulled by Marten De Roon then after getting past his opponent, suffered a nasty challenge from Adam Clayton who was booked.
• Pedro had the first decent chance of the game but was denied by a fine fingertip save from Victor Valdes.
• After all that fine work, Valdes should have been quicker to react for Chelsea’s goal. Maybe he was still suffering from that bang on the head. Boro made a complete mess of clearing Hazard’s corner after the ball came off Calum Chambers’ back and Costa reacted first. Valdes should have tried to come for the ball but Ramirez, Gibson and De Roon all dithered.
• For Costa it was his 10th Premier League goal in 12 games. He has also delivered three assists. That’s pretty decent.
• Just 20 seconds into the second half Valdes did well to keep out an effort from Alonso. Pedro then hit the bar and Moses wasted a great chance.

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SOCIAL SAYS

DREAM TEAM RATINGS

CHELSEA: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 7, Cahill 7, Moses 6, Alonso 6, Kante 6, Matic 6, Pedro 6, Costa 8, Hazard 8

SUBS: Chalobah 6

BOOKED: Azpilicueta, Luiz, Kante

MIDDLESBROUGH: Valdes 6, Gibson 6, Chambers 6, Barragan 6, Fabio 6, Clayton 6, de Roon 6, Forshaw 6, Ramirez 6, Traore 6, Negredo 6

SUBS: Downing 6, Fischer 6

BOOKED: Chambers, Clayton

STAR MAN: Eden Hazard

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WHAT THEY SAID

Chelsea defender Gary Cahill said: "Confidence is up in the side and we are playing well.

“We are getting the results too, which is the most important thing. We have carried on from where we left off at the international break.

"We are in a good moment on the training ground and working hard. When you are winning games, it is easy to play.

"We are happy with today's work, the league is not won today, it is not even Christmas yet."

Boro defender Ben Gibson said: "We stayed in the game and fought until the end, we could not get a point. We are really disappointed to be beaten by a set piece. A lot of positives to take.

"In the second half, we got out of the blocks quickly and made a game of it. They were not comfortable by any means. We can take a lot of heart and positives out of this.

"We have played Manchester City, Arsenal and Chelsea and we have come out of each one with a lot of merit.

“We are a tough squad and we will stick together. Playing those giants, we still believe we can get something from the games.

"We limited Diego Costa and dealt with him quite well. He is tough, wants to wrestle you and feel you but he finished his one chance."