03/12/2005  Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0
 
The Chelsea captain, whose high-stakes gambling habits have been condoned by his manager, earned cash for those who staked money on him as the first goalscorer against Boro.

However, while his header went in off Fabio Rochemback, the England defender was credited with the goal and his impact was decisive on his 250th career appearance in breaking the deadlock at Stamford Bridge.

If that twist of fate seemed somewhat ironic, so too did the sight of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink unwittingly ensuring that Roman Abramovich had to pay out another win bonus after he squandered a clear early chance.

Hasselbaink sparked controversy with his claim - now partly retracted - that Chelsea flouted rules by doubling the players' win bonuses for beating Arsenal in the Champions League in 2004.

However, the Dutchman struck the post against his former club after 13 minutes when it appeared easier to score and that was as close as Boro came to beating Petr Cech.

With Terry's goal on 61 minutes, Chelsea's mini-blip looked well and truly over, with four consecutive victories since their back-to-back defeats by Real Betis and Manchester United.

As an added bonus, Arsenal's defeat at Bolton ensured the Blues moved 14 points ahead of the Gunners, who have just one game in hand. It is looking ominous already.

Hasselbaink, meanwhile, had started the day one goal short of amassing a total of 150 strikes for English clubs. That he remains on 149 was due to his costly early miss.

Yakubu, who had replaced Mark Viduka up front, made a powerful run that took him to the edge of the penalty area and, when his shot was only half-blocked by Terry, Hasselbaink should have taken full advantage.

However, with Asier del Horno pressuring him, the Dutchman lost his balance at the vital moment and his effort rolled against the bar and out to safety.

After living dangerously, Chelsea were stung into a response.

Arjen Robben, who had returned after a month on the sidelines, was looking especially lively and having skipped inside two opponents as he darted in from the left touchline, he shot past the far post.

Terry's header was, meanwhile, somehow scrambled off the line amid a desperate goalmouth scramble as William Gallas threatened, while Frank Lampard blasted a half-volley straight at Mark Schwarzer.

Terry produced another powerful header that was cleared off the line, this time by Rochemback, while Lampard blazed his follow-up effort over the bar.

In contrast, Boro's efforts were rather more infrequent, with Yakubu's snap-shot deflected wide and Chris Riggott heading the ensuing corner past the far post.

Robben, meanwhile, was taking centre stage. One bewitching run sent Doriva helplessly spinning in circles, but Lampard could not keep his shot on target as he stretched to meet his near-post centre.

Gareth Southgate continued to mastermind Boro's defensive resolve after the break, barring Didier Drogba's path to goal with one excellent interception.

However, Chelsea finally seized the lead with 61 minutes gone as Terry powered another header towards goal from Damien Duff's corner, with Rochemback initially blocking the ball with one leg but then seeing it rebound in off his other leg.

Lampard almost doubled Chelsea's lead two minutes later from Robben's cutback but Schwarzer was alive to the danger, while Drogba hoofed a clear chance over the bar as he blamed the pitch for a bobble.

Mourinho immediately moved to strengthen his midfield, with Geremi replacing Eidur Gudjohnsen, while Boro responded with Viduka replacing Hasselbaink.

Both sides made further changes, but with little impact. Lampard wasted another chance, blazing a shot over the bar, but Boro never truly threatened to equalise.

Chelsea's grip on the title race continues to strengthen. That much, at least, seems a racing certainty.