Chelsea 3 Middlesbrough 0: Boro relegated after they are thumped by Antonio Conte’s champions-elect

IT was practically mission impossible for Middlesbrough - and so it proved tonight when they were thumped 3-0 away at Chelsea.

Boro needed to avoid defeat to give themselves any hope of avoiding the drop into the Championship - but the gulf in class was clear from the moment the whistle started the game.

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Diego Costa put the hosts ahead in the 23rd minute following a spell of concerted pressure, and then raiding wing-back Marcos Alonso made it 2-0 just 11 minutes later.

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The days was to get a whole lot worse for Boro keeper Brad Guzan when he was nutmegged for the third time to concede again, Nemanja Matic coolly finishing after a flowing move.

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Chelsea now move seven points clear of second-placed Tottenham, with just three games to play.

For Middlesbrough, they may start to plan their summer clearout now as they drop back into the Championship after a tumultuous season.

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Facts, Stats, Goals and Lols

• As if Middlesbrough’s night at Chelsea wasn’t scary enough - a minor prang in the team bus in the crowded streets of West London only made things worse.
• Antonio Conte admits before kick off that he wasn’t allowed to watch Tottenham’s key defeat on Friday night as he was having dinner with his wife and daughter.
• Just one minute and ten seconds into the match Marcos Alonso hits a firm volley and keeper Brad Guzan manages to parry it up onto the crossbar with a remarkable save.
• Diego Costa puts Chelsea ahead in the 23rd minute and immediately the fans start singing ‘Are You Watching Tottenham?’.

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• Alonso makes it 2-0 when his cross from the left squeezes through Guzan’s legs. Boro’s keeper has now been nutmegged twice in 21 minutes.
• Chelsea fans also sing a derogatory song about London rivals West Ham - even though The Hammers did them a massive favour by beating Spurs last Friday. There’s gratitude for you.
• Pedro hit the bar as Chelsea refuse to let up the pace with their first attack in the second half.
• Nemanja Matic makes it 3-0 for Chelsea and the THIRD time Brad Guzan gets nutmegged. That’s going to hurt the keeper’s pride if nothing else.
• Cesc Fabregas is the first player in history to notch 10 assists in six different Premier League seasons

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Big Picture

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Social Says

Dream Team Ratings

Chelsea: Courtois 6, Azpilicueta 7, David Luiz 7 (Terry, 84 6), Cahill 7, Moses 7, Fàbregas 8, Matic 9, Alonso 8, Pedro (Chalobah, 81 6), Hazard 7 (Willian 72 6), Diego Costa 7

Subs (not used): Begovic, Zouma, Aké, Loftus-Cheek

Goals: Diego Costa (23), Alonso (34), Matic (65)

Booked: None

Middlesbrough: Guzan 6, Fabio 6, Chambers 6, Gibson 5, Friend 5, de Roon 6, Clayton 6, Forshaw 5 (Leadbitter, 56 6), Traoré 5 (Bamford, 57 6), Negredo 6 (Gestede, 83 6), Downing 6

Subs (not used): Konstantopoulos, Bernardo, Barragán, Guédioura

Goals: None

Booked: Fabio, Bamford

Star Man: Nemanja Matic (Chelsea)

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What They Said

Antonio Conte: "This game was very important for us, after the Tottenham defeat [to West Ham)] the possibility to go seven points clear, it was very important to win.

"It is a big step, because there are three games, we need three points to win the title. It's great, it is our answer to Tottenham [West Ham defeat].

"In Tottenham's last ten games, they have won nine and lost one. We have won eight and lost two. Now we are very close, but we have another step.

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On Fabregas: "Cesc has improved a lot this season, I am pleased for him because he got himself in the team. At the start of the season, he didn't play a lot, now he is performing very well, I am pleased for him, as through hard work, you can improve and change the situation.

On the fans chanting how they are going to win the league: "I have to agree with the fans, we are doing a fantastic job with the players. But we need another win, and to celebrate a fantastic target.

"It is important to rest and prepare for West Brom. It's important to look at ourselves we have the possibility of winning the title without waiting for the Tottenham result, we all know to play away at West Brom won't be easy.

"But there is the right concentration and desire to finish the season with a great achievement. So we will try to win, but the game will be very tough."

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Man of the match Cesc Fabregas: "We knew what we had to do. It was a tough game for us, there is a lot of pressure on us.  To win a title in England is the most difficult in the world.

"We knew they would fight for their lives as they could be relegated, but we did what we had to do and it was a good game.

"Today was a test, Middlesbrough drew against Manchester City, they are a tough side to go up against, but we played well and deserved it.

"Consistency is key in this league. Obnviously we had that amazing run of 13 games winning that game confidence, but it is not done yet, there is one more push.

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"But I think we have been the best team in the league this season. We have been working every hard, but we have to be realistic, this year we haven't played Champions League, so we have been able to prepare better. The coach has had a lot of time to work with us, and we knew what he wanted from day one.

"We want to win the title now on Friday, the quicker the better, if we can make it happen on Friday, then Friday let it be."

On his future: "It's been a different year, I am used to playing week in week out for all the clubs I have played for.

"Many people said I wasn't the type of player for Antonio Conte, and that I should leave. But I like challenges.

"I have had to have patience and accept these things can happen. But to play for the club and the team, I am proud of what I have done and proud of the team."

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Middlesbrough caretaker boss Steve Agnew: "[It is] Very very frustrating and disappointing and come away from a very silent dressing room.

"We were reasonably well organised, but we didn't get a foothold in the game to get chances and give Chelsea problems.

"They have a high degree of technical ability.

"We have had 36 games, and two to go. It's been a really tough season, it's been ongoing for as long as the season has been with us.

"It's just a really, really disappointing season. We haven't scored enough goals, and you need to score goals to win football matches.

On his career: "The most important thing is the football club, it's a terrific football club. It's not about my football situation, we all reflect over the summer and ensure Middlesbrough bounce back to the Premier League.

"It's about the football clubs and getting them back."

Middlesbrough's Ben Gibson: "From top to bottom we haven' t been good enough,. the players, the staff, myself, it's not about tonight, it's the full season.

"They (Chelsea) were much better than us in every department, it could have been four, five or six.

"It's the lowest point of my career, in fact, the lowest point of my life.

"You've seen the fans there, singing, all 1,400 of them, they deserve Premier League football, and we have to go away and reflect on what's gone wrong.

"We have to put our finger on it, learn, and then get better."