FT:Middlesbro 0-2 Chelsea: No stoppage time is played and the game is over. Chelsea look to be back on track but Middlesbrough's recent form will be a huge concern for Southgate and they barely troubled Cech.
87
Downing has barely seen the ball in the second period but he has it now and delivers a wonderful ball across the box where O'Neil is arriving and he scuffs it into the arms of Cech when he could have done better.
85
Substitution
Didier Drogba has not had the best of week's but he has ended it on a high note with the opening goal and he is now replaced by Andrei Shevchenko.
84
Substitution
Tom Craddock is now going to come on in place of the again disappointing Tuncay who still looks like he has not totally settled yet.
83
Lampard tries to confuse Schwarzer with his eyes as he tries to open his body and slide the ball into the far corner and he almost manages it as it drifts just wide.
81
Substitution
Steve Sidwell is on for the Blues in place of the ever impressive Essien who has done his duties with greta economy of effort today.
79
The game is now rather drifting towards a close and the frustration is evident in the voices of the crowd who are almost silent as we approach the closing stages.
76
Substitution
Chelsea are now going to make a change as Shaun Wright-Phillips comes onto the field in place of Malouda.
74
Lampard tries to rifle in a trademark long range effort and it beats the sliding defenders but is straight into the grateful arms of Schwarzer.
72
Chelsea look much more like themselves today and they have rarely been troubled by Boro as we approach the final 15 minutes.
71
Yellow Card
Florent Malouda is the second name to go into the referee's book as he scythes down Luke Young who was launching himself down the right.
69
Cattermole is already showing just why he is on the field as he bites in at the heels of Mikel and Essien to cause Chelsea to give the ball away.
66
Substitution
A change for Boro as Lee Cattermole replaces George Boateng in the midfield to give more legs to the engine room.
62
Middlesbrough look like they have had the stuffing knocked out of them now and at the moment you can see nothing but a comfortable Chelsea win.
59
Since that second goal it has been all Chelsea and Mark Schwarzer makes a good save to deny Joe Cole a third goal for Chelsea, although the flag was up anyway.
55
Goal
GOAL:Middlesbro 0-2 Chelsea: (ALEX) A thunderbolt of a free-kick from Alex buries itself in the top corner and that could be the game won.
54
The crowd are starting to have an impact and they are really getting involved on every decision that goes against their side which could boost their team.
51
Drogba has now fallen theatrically under challenge from Boateng and the crowd are not happy with what appears to be terrible playacting on the Ivorian's part.
48
Yellow Card
Malouda leads a lightning Chelsea break and he is joined by Carvalho of all people who is blatantly brought down by Boateng who is booked as a result.
Second half
The second period is underway as Halsey blows his whistle and Boro need to begin the way they finished the first period if they are going to stop this being their sixth game without a win.
Half time
HT: Middlebro 0 - 1 Chelsea: A decent first half from both sides but there have been very few chances so far and Drogba's goal means Chelsea hold what is probably a deserved lead.
45
2 minutes added time have been indicated.
43
Drogba is causing problems when he gets involved in the final third and he causes Luke Young a bit of bother and hte former Charlton man concedes a corner.
40
Belletti is back on and immediately gives himself a bit of trouble as he tries to delicately chip the ball over an advancing Tuncay and only finds the Turkey star's shoulder but is saved by Halsey who felt it was handball.
38
A bit of a stoppage here as Belletti and Mido are both down after a challenge for a header and it is the Brazilian who has come off worse and he needs more treatment.
35
Chris Riggott has a chance with a header, but it was a tough one from almost the edge of the box, and he heads a few yards over in the end.
33
Malouda steps over the free-kick and Drogba tries to bend it into the near post and is only a fraction out with Schwarzer scrambling although the Australian 'keeper probably had it covered.
30
The home side are now dominating but only up to a point and but for that Mido header that Cech saved well they haven't created a meaningful opening.
27
Mido hounds Cech into a hurried clearance and Boro have a throw as they start to mount some pressure on the Chelsea backline.
24
Gary O'Neil looks busy at the moment and he does well again against Ferreira to cross the ball in low where Tuncay is arriving and Alex throws himself in the way this time.
22
Chelsea are still dominating proceedings and they have another corner here that Middlesbrough clear after a good clearing punch from Schwarzer.
19
Arguably Middlesbrough's two best players - Mido and Downing - are starting to have an impact on the game and that could spell danger for Avram Grant's side.
16
Gary O'Neil beats Ferreira brilliantly and his cross is met powerfully by Mido who is left grimacing as Cech makes a stunning save to deny him.
14
Chelsea have a free-kick 35 yards from goal and Lampard has his eyes on glory but he strikes it into the wall and Boro clear easily in the end.
11
Boro need to find some sort of response and attacking threat soon as Chelsea are starting to string the passes together well and their confidence is growing all the time.
8
Goal
GOAL:Middlesbro 0-1 Chelsea: (8mins) Superb interplay between Lampard and Drogba allows the latter to slot the ball beyond an advancing Schwarzer to to give Chelsea an early lead.
5
Chelsea have enjoyed the better of the early possession without doing too much with it but O'Neil almost flicks Tuncay through however Carvalho is well positioned to clear.
3
Not the brightest of starts by either side but that is usually the case in the games after an international break and it usually does take 20 or so minutes to get going.
Kickoff
Mark Halsey is today's match official at the Riverside and he gets what could be a very important afternoon for both sides, who could do with the points to help them find a run of form, underway.
However, Chelsea have been less than stable themselves of late and although they are starting to find some form anything less than three points today could further damage their slimming title hopes.
Awaiting Kickoff
Boro' have won the last two meetings with Chelsea on home turf but their recent form has been relatively poor and confidence cannot be too high in Gareth Southgate's squad.
Awaiting Kickoff
Middlesbrough have an excellent record against Chelsea at the Riverside and the Blues players do not normally relish a trip to Teeside so an interesting afternoon is in store.
Middlesbrough
Chelsea
Full time
FT:Middlesbro 0-2 Chelsea: No stoppage time is played and the game is over. Chelsea look to be back on track but Middlesbrough's recent form will be a huge concern for Southgate and they barely troubled Cech.
Downing has barely seen the ball in the second period but he has it now and delivers a wonderful ball across the box where O'Neil is arriving and he scuffs it into the arms of Cech when he could have done better.
Substitution
Didier Drogba has not had the best of week's but he has ended it on a high note with the opening goal and he is now replaced by Andrei Shevchenko.
Substitution
Tom Craddock is now going to come on in place of the again disappointing Tuncay who still looks like he has not totally settled yet.
Lampard tries to confuse Schwarzer with his eyes as he tries to open his body and slide the ball into the far corner and he almost manages it as it drifts just wide.
Substitution
Steve Sidwell is on for the Blues in place of the ever impressive Essien who has done his duties with greta economy of effort today.
The game is now rather drifting towards a close and the frustration is evident in the voices of the crowd who are almost silent as we approach the closing stages.
Substitution
Chelsea are now going to make a change as Shaun Wright-Phillips comes onto the field in place of Malouda.
Lampard tries to rifle in a trademark long range effort and it beats the sliding defenders but is straight into the grateful arms of Schwarzer.
Chelsea look much more like themselves today and they have rarely been troubled by Boro as we approach the final 15 minutes.
Yellow Card
Florent Malouda is the second name to go into the referee's book as he scythes down Luke Young who was launching himself down the right.
Cattermole is already showing just why he is on the field as he bites in at the heels of Mikel and Essien to cause Chelsea to give the ball away.
Substitution
A change for Boro as Lee Cattermole replaces George Boateng in the midfield to give more legs to the engine room.
Middlesbrough look like they have had the stuffing knocked out of them now and at the moment you can see nothing but a comfortable Chelsea win.
Since that second goal it has been all Chelsea and Mark Schwarzer makes a good save to deny Joe Cole a third goal for Chelsea, although the flag was up anyway.
Goal
GOAL:Middlesbro 0-2 Chelsea: (ALEX) A thunderbolt of a free-kick from Alex buries itself in the top corner and that could be the game won.
The crowd are starting to have an impact and they are really getting involved on every decision that goes against their side which could boost their team.
Drogba has now fallen theatrically under challenge from Boateng and the crowd are not happy with what appears to be terrible playacting on the Ivorian's part.
Yellow Card
Malouda leads a lightning Chelsea break and he is joined by Carvalho of all people who is blatantly brought down by Boateng who is booked as a result.
Second half
The second period is underway as Halsey blows his whistle and Boro need to begin the way they finished the first period if they are going to stop this being their sixth game without a win.
Half time
HT: Middlebro 0 - 1 Chelsea: A decent first half from both sides but there have been very few chances so far and Drogba's goal means Chelsea hold what is probably a deserved lead.
2 minutes added time have been indicated.
Drogba is causing problems when he gets involved in the final third and he causes Luke Young a bit of bother and hte former Charlton man concedes a corner.
Belletti is back on and immediately gives himself a bit of trouble as he tries to delicately chip the ball over an advancing Tuncay and only finds the Turkey star's shoulder but is saved by Halsey who felt it was handball.
A bit of a stoppage here as Belletti and Mido are both down after a challenge for a header and it is the Brazilian who has come off worse and he needs more treatment.
Chris Riggott has a chance with a header, but it was a tough one from almost the edge of the box, and he heads a few yards over in the end.
Malouda steps over the free-kick and Drogba tries to bend it into the near post and is only a fraction out with Schwarzer scrambling although the Australian 'keeper probably had it covered.
The home side are now dominating but only up to a point and but for that Mido header that Cech saved well they haven't created a meaningful opening.
Mido hounds Cech into a hurried clearance and Boro have a throw as they start to mount some pressure on the Chelsea backline.
Gary O'Neil looks busy at the moment and he does well again against Ferreira to cross the ball in low where Tuncay is arriving and Alex throws himself in the way this time.
Chelsea are still dominating proceedings and they have another corner here that Middlesbrough clear after a good clearing punch from Schwarzer.
Arguably Middlesbrough's two best players - Mido and Downing - are starting to have an impact on the game and that could spell danger for Avram Grant's side.
Gary O'Neil beats Ferreira brilliantly and his cross is met powerfully by Mido who is left grimacing as Cech makes a stunning save to deny him.
Chelsea have a free-kick 35 yards from goal and Lampard has his eyes on glory but he strikes it into the wall and Boro clear easily in the end.
Boro need to find some sort of response and attacking threat soon as Chelsea are starting to string the passes together well and their confidence is growing all the time.
Goal
GOAL:Middlesbro 0-1 Chelsea: (8mins) Superb interplay between Lampard and Drogba allows the latter to slot the ball beyond an advancing Schwarzer to to give Chelsea an early lead.
Chelsea have enjoyed the better of the early possession without doing too much with it but O'Neil almost flicks Tuncay through however Carvalho is well positioned to clear.
Not the brightest of starts by either side but that is usually the case in the games after an international break and it usually does take 20 or so minutes to get going.
Kickoff
Mark Halsey is today's match official at the Riverside and he gets what could be a very important afternoon for both sides, who could do with the points to help them find a run of form, underway.
Awaiting Kickoff
Chelsea: Cech, Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Ferreira, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Joe Cole, Drogba, Malouda
Awaiting Kickoff
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Young, Woodgate, Riggott, Taylor, O'Neil, Boateng, Rochemback, Downing, Tuncay, Mido
Awaiting Kickoff
However, Chelsea have been less than stable themselves of late and although they are starting to find some form anything less than three points today could further damage their slimming title hopes.
Awaiting Kickoff
Boro' have won the last two meetings with Chelsea on home turf but their recent form has been relatively poor and confidence cannot be too high in Gareth Southgate's squad.
Awaiting Kickoff
Middlesbrough have an excellent record against Chelsea at the Riverside and the Blues players do not normally relish a trip to Teeside so an interesting afternoon is in store.