But Boro have sinking feeling

ball from under his feet to stroke through the legs of Guzan.

As well as being a huge lift for the champions-elect, it was a big blow for Boro, who knew a defeat would ensure they would go down with Sunderland.

In the 34th minute it was 2-0. Again Boro were exposed in the Chelsea box and Azpilicueta picked out Alonso coming in from the left. His shot from a tight angle went through Guzan’s legs and in off the keeper’s trailing arm.

A magnificent Fabregas crossfield ball then picked out the run of Victor Moses, but this time Guzan managed to keep the ball out with his legs.

Pedro almost punished Boro straight after the restart with a power drive which clipped the top of the bar.

Agnew’s men went through the motions, but they were completely outclassed in all areas.

Home fans often taunted, “Are you watching Tottenham?” in a dig at their closest rivals. You could safely bet they were not. Fabregas then picked out Pedro, who played in Alonso on the overlap. But Costa just could not stretch to turn the ball in from close range.

Skipper Gary Cahill had a 25-yard belter beaten away by Guzan as Chelsea began to party with their fifth Premier League title within touching distance.

And Fabregas was at it again in the 65th minute, teeing up Matic with a delightful dinked pass with the outside of his right foot which the Serbian chested down and then drove through poor Guzan’s legs once again for his first-ever goal at Stamford Bridge. CHELSEA (3-4-3): Courtois; Azpilicueta, Luiz (Terry 84), Cahill; Moses, Fabregas, Matic, Alonso; Pedro (Chalobah 81), Hazard (Willian 72), Costa. Subs: Begovic, Zouma, Ake, Loftus-Cheek. MIDDLESBROUGH (4-3-3): Guzan; Fabio, Chambers, Gibson, Friend; De Roon, Clayton, Forshaw (Leadbitter 56); Traore (Bamford 57), Downing, Negredo (Gestede 83). Subs: Konstantopoulos, Bernardo, Barragan, Guedioura. Referee: Craig Pawson.