Didier Drogba scored two goals in the first 17 minutes and Chelsea boosted their lead to seven points atop the English Premier League with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday.
Drogba’s goals in the 15th and 17th minutes gave him nine this season for the Blues.
He eluded former England defender Gareth Southgate and scored his first from just inside the penalty area. The second came on a header off a free kick from Frank Lampard.
Chelsea’s victory contrasted with the fortune of the chasing clubs — Arsenal and Manchester United.
Arsenal drew 1-1 at Highbury against Manchester City on a late goal from Freddie Ljungberg, leaving Arsenal unbeaten in 31 league games.
Manchester United played a 0-0 draw against Tottenham at Old Trafford. However, the Reds nearly lost the match when the Reds’ goalkeeper, Roy Carroll, let a long-range shot from Pedro Mendes drop through his hands in the final minutes.
TV replays showed the ball dropped a metre behind the line, although the referee refused to allow the goal.
With 16 games to play, Chelsea improved to 55 points, seven more than Arsenal and 11 better than Manchester United. Fourth-place Everton are 12 back with 43 points.
In two other Premier League games, it was: Birmingham City 1, Bolton 2; Everton 2, Portsmouth 1. In the League Championship — the old first division — Wigan defeated Wolves 2-0. — Sapa-AP