MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3):

7 Valdes: Made two excellent saves to continue his recent renaissance, the pick of which was the first-half tip over from Pedro

6 Barragan: Coped with Hazard’s threat for the majority of the game, and tried his best to keep tabs on Alonso

7 Chambers: Will not have many more difficult afternoons all season, but coped manfully with Chelsea’s multiple attacking threats

8 GIBSON: Won his personal battle with Costa for most of the game and provided more proof of his internationals credentials

5 Fabio: Couldn’t have asked for a more difficult game to come into, and seemed unsure when to go close to Moses

6 De Roon: Worked away tirelessly, but wasn’t able to break forward into the box as often as he would have liked

6 Clayton: Another decent display at the base of midfield as he tried to prevent Hazard dropping into space on the edge of the area

6 Forshaw: Maintained the high standards he has been setting this season, even if he was another player who struggled to support Negredo

6 Traore: Showed flashes of magic, but needs to add some composure to his game – wasted a decent position by blazing over

5 Negredo: Was isolated for long spells, but didn’t help himself as he failed to run the channels and struggled to hold the ball up

5 Ramirez: Started brightly, but faded from prominence in the second half and was profligate with his shooting


Subs:

Downing (for Fabio, 71)

Fischer (for Clayton, 73)

Leadbitter (for Forshaw, 89)

(not used): Guzan (gk), Espinosa, Nsue, Rhodes.


CHELSEA (3-4-3):

Courtois 6; Azpilicueta 6, Luiz 8, Cahill 7; Moses 7 (Ivanovic 89), Matic 6, Kante 6, Alonso 6; Pedro 7 (Chalobah 80), Costa 7, HAZARD 8 (Oscar 90).

Subs (not used): Begovic (gk), Terry, Fabregas, Batshuayi.


Man Of The Match: EDEN HAZARD – The Chelsea midfielder was a cut above everyone else on the pitch whenever he was on the ball.