Photos from The Riverside

Herno Crespo's late winner kept Chelsea on the heels of the Premiership pace-setters with a hard-fought victory at Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough looked set to earn a deserved point after Szilard Nemeth equalised Eidur Gudjohnsen's early strike for Chelsea.

But a moment of magic from Damien Duff set up the �17m Argentine for a towering far post header to claim three points and keep the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United.

McClaren proud in defeat

It was the perfect tonic for Chelsea boss Claudio Ranieri after the Champions League defeat against Besiktas - but Middlesbrough counterpart Steve McClaren had every right to feel aggrieved at the outcome.

Chelsea named a team without seven of the men who suffered humiliation against Besiktas at Stmaford Bridge.

And Juan Sebastian Veron, so disappointing in that defeat, was not even on the substitutes's bench.

KEY MOMENTS 16 mins: Gudjohnsen breaks the deadlock to put Chelsea in front 46 mins: Nemeth levels for Middlesbrough 20 seconds after the interval 87 mins: Crespo rises to head Chelsea's winner

It did not appear to disrupt their rhythm as Ranieri's side almost took the lead in the opening minute.

Duff's cross created an opportunity for Jesper Gronkjaer, but he failed to take advantage.

Chelsea did not have to wait long to take the lead, with Gudjohnsen breaking the deadlock after 16 minutes.

Frank Lampard robbed George Boateng, and when Duff released Gudjohnsen, the Icelander provided a cool finish to beat Mark Schwarzer.

Ranieri urges caution

Lampard was the provider again as Chelsea almost doubled their advantage after 31 minutes.

John Terry found space from the England midfield man's free-kick, but headed against the bar from only six yards.

Chelsea made a change at the interval, Crespo replacing the subdued Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

Chelsea didn't deserve to win but it shows our spirit and character to battle through lean patches to emerge as victors From Carefree Chris Have your say on 606

But it was Middlesbrough who made an instant impression, equalising inside 20 seconds of the restart.

Robert Huth lost possession to Gaizka Mendieta, who set up Nemeth to beat Carlo Cudicini comfortably.

Spanish import Mendieta was suddenly running the game, and Middlesbrough were almost in front on the hour when Doriva's power drive was punched away by a startled Cudicini.

And Mendieta was the instigator again five minutes later, sending Malcolm Christie clear, only for the striker to fail to hit the target.

But Chelsea's world-class quality meant they were always a threat - and so it proved with only three minutes left.

Duff crossed brilliantly from the right flank, and Crespo, who minutes earlier had missed an excellent chance to score, rose above Danny Mills to head inside Schwarzer's near post.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Queudrue, Mills, Riggott, Cooper, Mendieta, Greening, Doriva (Juninho Paulista 89), Boateng, Christie (Ricketts 82), Nemeth (Downing 87).
Subs not used: Jones, Davies.

Booked: Christie.

Chelsea: Cudicini, Johnson, Bridge, Terry, Huth, Duff, Gronkjaer (Cole 79), Makelele, Lampard, Hasselbaink (Crespo 45), Gudjohnsen (Mutu 79).
Subs not used: Ambrosio, Geremi.

Booked: Hasselbaink, Huth.

Attendance: 29,170.

Referee: M Halsey (Lancashire).