04/01/2005  Chelsea 2 Middlesbrough 0
 
Deadly Didier Drogba kept Chelsea on course for their first top-flight title in 50 years with a first-half double against Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge.

The Blues striker struck twice in three minutes as rampant Chelsea ended the holiday programme unbeaten and extended their lead over Arsenal at the top of the Barclays Premiership to seven points.

Arsenal's home draw with Manchester City crowned a glorious night for Jose Mourinho's side, who brushed aside Middlesbrough with a scintillating first-half display.

It culminated in two splendid goals from Drogba as Chelsea extended their unbeaten run to 13 games.

Mourinho's side were given a pre-match scare when skipper John Terry was forced to leave the warm-up for treatment to an ankle injury - however, the England international recovered in time to lead Chelsea into action.

In the fourth minute, Drogba forced Mark Schwarzer into making the first save of the night when he met Arjen Robben's corner with a firm header.

Schwarzer had to be alert again in the 12th minute when Drogba again tested the Boro goalkeeper.

This time he controlled a long clearance from Petr Cech and let fly with left-foot volley on the turn which the Boro keeper just managed to hold on to.

A minute later, Schwarzer was the hero again for the visitors when he denied Robben a certain goal with a brave save at the near post as Chelsea continued to dominate proceedings.

But Drogba was not to be denied and he put Chelsea in front with a well-taken goal in the 14th minute.

Latching on to a pass from Frank Lampard, Drogba cleverly turned former England defender Gareth Southgate before slotting the ball beyond Schwarzer from just inside the penalty area.

Middlesbrough had no answer to Drogba's pace and power in attack and he put the Londoners 2-0 up in the 16th minute when he headed home a beautifully placed free-kick from Lampard.

Blues midfielder Joe Cole was booked for a rash challenge on Downing in the 25th minute but it did little to interfere with an otherwise perfect opening half for Jose Mourinho's men.

The home side looked threatening with every attack and Robben forced Schwarzer into another fine save when the Dutchman let fly with a crisp low drive from 18 yards.

However, Robben was the next to find his way into Steve Bennett's notebook in the 31st minute when he brought down Franck Queudrue.

It was the Dutchman's fifth booking of the season and means he will be suspended for the Carling Cup semi-final, first leg against Manchester United next week.

Duff then missed a gilt-edged chance to make it three in the 35th minute when Robben's shot was fumbled into his patch by Schwarzer.

But the Republic of Ireland international could not control the spinning ball in time and Middlesbrough were fortunate to scramble the ball to safety.

Paulo Ferreira was unlucky not to get on the scoresheet in the 38th minute when the impressive Lampard once again opened up the visitors' defence with a sublime through ball.

However, the Chelsea right-back could only lift the ball high over the advancing Schwarzer and the crossbar.

Three minutes before the interval, Schwarzer denied Lampard with another fine save after the England midfielder had been put clear by Duff.

Chelsea's rampant first half display had earned them a standing ovation at half-time and they continued in the same vein after the restart.

Middlesbrough offered little in attack with former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink unable to impose himself on the game.

In the 57th minute, Cole tried his luck from 20 yards but the hero of the win over Liverpool at Anfield, saw his effort flash wide of Schwarzer's left-hand post.

However, the Boro keeper made an astonishing blunder with the subsequent goal-kick when he gave the ball straight to Duff on the edge of the penalty area.

The Irish winger seemed certain to score Chelsea's third goal but his fierce drive cannoned back off the crossbar and out to safety much to the Boro 'keeper's relief.

Cole brought another save from Schwarzer on the hour as Chelsea increased the pressure on their visitors.

In the 62nd minute, Chelsea made another change when Tiago replaced the hard-working Cole in midfield.

In the 65th minute, Cech was called into action for the first time in the game when Downing cut in from the left wing and fired a low drive towards goal which spun off the Chelsea keeper's legs.

Luckily for the home side, Johnson was on hand to clear the ball as Hasselbaink looked to take advantage of the opportunity.

Drogba was given a rapturous reception when he was substituted by Mateja Kezman in the 79th minute.

The striker's performance had given Chelsea the perfect finish to their difficult festive programme but the Londoners should really have won by more than his two goals.

But time after time, they were denied by the brilliance of Schwarzer in the Boro goal.

Lampard carved out another opening in the 81st minute but once again he was denied by the Australian.