Blue Hoodoo For Boro!

A rare goal by defender Ricardo Carvalho ended up settling the contest but Boro left Stamford Bridge wondering how they had not come away with at least a point, a feat they had achieved at Arsenal a few weeks earlier.

Substitute Afonso Alves was the main culprit by hitting the woodwork twice with the goal at his mercy and defender David Wheater also headed against the crossbar.

Chelsea had to ride their luck to win a game they could have sewn up much earlier had they taken chances of their own and Avram Grant's side can now breathe a sigh of relief before turning their attentions to Wednesday night's Champions League showdown in Istanbul against Fenerbahce.

Carvalho goals do not arrive very often but usually they have worth. The defender had not found the net for almost a year following his only goal of the game against Tottenham in April 2007.

Gary O'Neil fouled Michael Ballack on the left touchline and Wayne Bridge floated a sixth-minute free-kick into a crowded box.

Carvalho was beyond the penalty spot but nonetheless was able to place his header out of Schwarzer's reach to give his side the lead.

CHELSEA v BORO - THE PREMIERSHIP YEARS ....

2008/2009 Sat 18 Oct Middlesbrough 0 - 5 Chelsea Premier League
2007/2008 Sun 30 Mar Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Premier League
Sat 20 Oct Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Chelsea Premier League
2006/2007 Sat 10 Feb Chelsea 3 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Wed 23 Aug Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Chelsea Premiership
2005/2006 Sat 11 Feb Middlesbrough 3 - 0 Chelsea Premiership
Sat 03 Dec Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
2004/2005 Tue 04 Jan Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 25 Sep Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Chelsea Premiership
2003/2004 Sat 10 Apr Chelsea 0 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sun 05 Oct Middlesbrough 1 - 2 Chelsea Premiership
2002/2003 Sat 04 Jan Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough F.A. Cup
Sat 14 Dec Middlesbrough 1 - 1 Chelsea Premiership
Sat 16 Nov Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
2001/2002 Sat 27 Apr Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Chelsea Premiership
Sun 23 Sep Chelsea 2 - 2 Middlesbrough Premiership
2000/2001 Sat 31 Mar Chelsea 2 - 1 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 16 Dec Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Chelsea Premiership
1999/2000 Sat 22 Apr Chelsea 1 - 1 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 25 Sep Middlesbrough 0 - 1 Chelsea Premiership
1998/1999 Wed 14 Apr Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Chelsea Premiership
Sat 26 Sep Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
1997/1998 Sun 29 Mar Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough League Cup
after extra time, 90 minutes 0-0; played at Wembley
1996/1997 Sat 17 May Chelsea 2 - 0 Middlesbrough F.A. Cup
played at Wembley
Sat 22 Mar Middlesbrough 1 - 0 Chelsea Premiership
Wed 21 Aug Chelsea 1 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
1995/1996 Sun 04 Feb Chelsea 5 - 0 Middlesbrough Premiership
Sat 26 Aug Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Chelsea Premiership
1992/1993 Sat 03 Apr Chelsea 4 - 0 Middlesbrough Premier League
Wed 13 Jan Middlesbrough 2 - 1 Chelsea F.A. Cup
Fri 11 Dec Middlesbrough 0 - 0 Chelsea Premier League

Tuesday 27th January 2009 Portsmouth v Aston Villa 20.00 Sunderland v Fulham 19.45 Tottenham v Stoke City 20.00 West Brom v Man Utd 19.45 Wednesday 28th January 2009 Blackburn v Bolton 20.00 Chelsea v Middlesbrough 19.45 Everton v Arsenal 20.00 Man City v Newcastle 19.45 West Ham v Hull City 20.00 Wigan Athletic v Liverpool 19.45 STAMFORD BRIDGE Directions & Car Parking Leave the M25 at Junction 15 and take the M4 towards London, which then becomes the A4 up to Hammersmith. Carry on over the Hammersmith flyover and after a further one and half miles, take the turning Earls Court. Continue past Earls Court station and down the one way system until you reach the junction with Fulham Road. At this junction, turn right at the traffic lights and after about half a mile, you will see the ground on your right. A number of local resident schemes are in operation around the ground, so you may well end up having to park some way from the ground itself. By Train and Tube The nearest tube station is Fulham Broadway which is on the District Line. Take a tube to Earls Court and if necessary, change for a Wimbledon bound tube. The nearest overground train station is West Brompton, which is served by trains from Clapham Junction (which is in turn served by trains from London Waterloo and Victoria stations). It is around a 15 minute walk to the ground from West Brompton station. Turn right outside the station past the Tournament Pub, then right again into Brompton Cemetery. Walk on through the Cemetery (just follow the crowd) and Stamford Bridge is soon visible to the right. If it is a night game then turn right after the cemetery into Finborough Road. After a half-mile, turn right onto the Fulham Rd. Where To Drink The pubs near the ground can be quite partisan, so I would recommend getting a drink somewhere on the journey there. There are quite a few pubs on the Kings Road that are okay as long as you don't break into a chorus about your team!. Ross Mooring adds; The best (well, least partisan) pub for away fans is the Slug and Lettuce outside Fulham Broadway train station situated a few minutes walk from the ground. It's an upmarket pub with a good security and police presence outside on matchdays. Very full but rarely any trouble. Away fans though should avoid the Sofa Bar. Alcohol (Budweiser) is available inside the ground but it is a bit pricey, even for Londoners!'. About a ten minute walk away from the ground near Parsons Green Tube Station is the White Horse. A large comfortable pub which sells good food and a range of real ales including Harveys Ales from Sussex. To find this pub with the new West Stand behind you turn right (up past where the away coaches are parked) up Fulham Road and into Fulham Broadway, passing the tube station on your right. Continue to follow Fulham Road around to the left and then take a left hand turn into Parsons Green Road. Go under the bridge passing Parsons Tube Station on your right and you will reach the White Horse pub on your left.