Spanish striker, Diego Costa, scored the only goal as Chelsea moved to the top of the Premier League with a hard-fought victory over a stubborn Middlesbrough side at the Riverside Stadium on Sunday.
Victor Valdes produced a sublime first-half save to keep the scores level, showing great reflexes to turn Pedro’s right-footed shot over the bar but the Boro goalkeeper was eventually beaten in the opening period when Costa poked home.
The Brazil-born Spain international was alert to volley home from close range after Middlesbrough failed to clear their lines from a corner. Chelsea continued to search for a second after the the break and were unfortunate not to do so when David Luiz and Costa combined to set-up Pedro but the Spain winger’s effort cannoned off the crossbar.
Boro were resolute as expected but our defence gave little away once more, Thibaut Courtois was tested on just a solitary occasion a quarter-of-an-hour from time. After another impressive victory the preparations for Tottenham’s visit next weekend can now begin.
Nigerian player, Victor Moses, who is playing a new role under Conte was on for almost the entire duration, before making way for Branislav Ivanovic on the stroke of 90 minutes in the away tie.
With Conte’s team selection came a little slice of history: it was the first time Chelsea have named the same starting XI for five consecutive league games in the Premier League era.
