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.
