The last match of this Sunday's Premier League saw Chelsea move to the summit for the first time this season registering a 1-0 win against a resilient Middlesbrough team.
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Diego Costa was the difference maker yet again, as he scored from a corner in the first half to help Chelsea to their sixth straight win, and sixth straight clean sheet in the process.
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Let’s take a look and how the players performed.
Middlesbrough
Victor Valdes – 7/10
The ex-Barcelona man produced an amazing save to keep out Pedro in the first half and continued his fine form until Costa’s effort finally got the better of him. He was back up to his old tricks early in the second half, saving well from Alonso.
Antonio Barragan – 5/10
The Spaniard was a decent option going forward from right-back but was given the run around by Eden Hazard. He provided a number of dangerous crosses throughout the game.
Calum Chambers – 6/10
The on-loan Arsenal man did decently well in the first half but will be disappointed to have been caught unawares for Costa’s opener. He did well to keep Costa in check in the second 45 minutes.
Ben Gibson – 6.5/10
It was a composed performance in the first half from the centre-back as he produced a composed performance barring the Costa goal. As with Chambers, he did extremely well to prevent Chelsea from getting a second as the game wore on.
Fabio – 6/10
Replacing Geroge Friend, Fabio did the best he could as he was left exposed too often by Gaston Ramirez in the first half. He put in a much-improved performance in the second half before being replaced by Stewart Downing, as Boro chased an equaliser.
Marten de Roon – 6/10
De Roon put in a busy performance in the first half but didn’t provide enough going forward. He was lucky to escape a booking early in the second half for a late challenge on Costa and couldn’t quite provide the impact he did against Manchester City.
Adam Clayton – 7/10
Clayton broke up attacks numerous times despite picking up an early booking for a foul on Hazard and was tidy going forward in the first 45 minutes. He was easily Boro’s best midfielder on the night before being brought off for Viktor Fischer.
Adam Forshaw – 5/10
Forshaw put in a decent performance but was overpowered by the Chelsea midfield duo and could do little to disrupt the Chelsea dominance in the first half. As Boro improved in the second half, so did he but was largely overshadowed.
Adama Traore – 6/10
The wing-wizard started the game brightly, running dangerously at the Chelsea defence but was shackled well by Matic thereafter. He provided good defensive coverage for Barragan as well
Gaston Ramirez – 5/10
Ramirez really didn’t provide enough protection to Fabio in the first half. He improved defensively in the second half but he was wasteful with the opportunities that came his way.
Alvaro Negredo – 4/10
The former Manchester City striker had a few opportunities but couldn’t get anything on target except for a late effort which was saved by Courtois. It was a frustrating night for Negredo and he will feel he should’ve done a lot better with the chances he had.
Substitutes
Stewart Downing – 5/10
Downing came on at left-back as Middlesbrough looked to get back into the game but couldn’t really do much from his position in the back four.
Viktor Fischer – 5/10
The youngster came on with just under 20 minutes to go to give Boro more attacking onus. He saw a lot of the ball but couldn’t provide the final bit of quality.
Grant Leadbitter – NA
Leadbitter came on with minutes remaining but had little impact.
Chelsea
Thibaut Courtois – 7/10
Even though he was largely a spectator for the game, he came up with a great save from Negredo late on to keep Chelsea’s lead intact.
Cesar Azpilicueta – 7/10
Azpilicueta is the quiet one of the Chelsea back three as he continued his MO of being solid if unspectacular. As Boro piled on the pressure, he made sure he was able to keep them out.
Gary Cahill – 8/10
The Englishman continues to be the most impressive of the Chelsea back three, putting his early season struggles behind him. Plying his trade on the left-hand side of the back three, Cahill very rarely looks to be in trouble.
David Luiz – 8/10
The Brazilian looks like a player reborn in this new system and despite receiving a booking, he was a colossal presence in defence getting his head to almost everything that came via aerial delivery. He also had a free kick that was just over the bar late on.
Marcos Alonso – 7/10
Alonso had a quiet but efficient first half, keeping things tight defensively and providing a good outlet going forward. He had a great effort saved at the beginning of the second half and was always an option for the Blues.
Nemanja Matic – 8/10
Matic was instrumental in shutting down Adama Traore in the first half and was tidy in possession, keeping the ball moving constantly. The fulcrum of the Chelsea team today.
N'Golo Kante – 7.5/10
The summer signing drove the Chelsea team forward constantly and was at his usual defensive best as well, though, he was for once overshadowed by Matic’s performance in midfield.
Victor Moses – 8/10
Moses was impressive yet again, being a constant menace down the right-hand side while keeping the back door firmly shut. He was a little wasteful, though, and will be looking to improve on his final product. He was substituted late on for Ivanovic.
Pedro – 7.5/10
A day of almosts for the winger as he was denied by a great save from ex-Barcelona teammate Valdes in the first half as well as hitting the crossbar in the second half. It was a good performance before he was brought off for Chaloba in the 79th minute.
Diego Costa – 8/10
The Spaniard is simply unstoppable at the moment as he grabbed his 10th league goal of the season with a great poacher’s finish in the first half. He led the line impressively and looks like he is hungry for more goals and more wins.
Eden Hazard – 8/10
Yet another livewire performance from the mercurial Belgian as he teased and tormented the Boro defence. It was his corner which led to Costa’s opener and despite not registering a goal or an assist, it was a superb game for Hazard.
Substitutes
Nathaniel Chalobah – 5/10
The 21-year-old replaced Pedro for the last 10 minutes or so as Chelsea looked to close out the game.
Branislav Ivanovic – NA
Ivanovic came on for the last few minutes, replacing Moses.
Oscar – NA
The Brazilian came on in stoppage time for Hazard.
