Blues too strong for Boro

The Ivory Coast international opened the scoring after just eight minutes at the Riverside Stadium, and Brazilian defender Alex's 35-yard piledriver 12 minutes after the break wrapped up the points.

Boro twice went close through Mido, and Gary O'Neil wasted a good chance with three minutes remaining.

Chelsea, who had lost on their last two league visits to the Riverside, were rarely in any danger - although Petr Cech saved Mido headers either side of the break in front of a crowd of 27,699.

Drogba's comments did not cost him his place as he returned from suspension in one of five changes to a side robbed of England duo John Terry and Ashley Cole through injury.

Having made himself available for Florent Malouda's pass, he laid it off to Frank Lampard in an instant and span away for the return before slotting a left-foot shot past the stranded Mark Schwarzer.

Chelsea looked capable of opening up Boro almost at will - Jonathan Woodgate had to hack away a Drogba cross before it reached Lampard, and the Ivory Coast frontman curled a 33rd-minute free-kick into the side-netting.

Mido forced a solid save from Cech with a glancing 49th-minute header from Stewart Downing's cross - and the England midfielder was appealing in vain for a penalty soon afterwards when his cross was blocked by Mikel John Obi, who swiftly indicated the ball had hit his chest.

The home fans were still venting their fury when Lampard tapped the ball sideways for Alex to blast a swerving shot into the top corner - with Schwarzer clutching at thin air.

From that point on, Boro were never really in the game as Chelsea dominated.