Middlesbrough, Oct 06: Chelsea defeat Middlesbrough 2-1 thanks to a late Crespo goal. Substitute Hernan Crespo headed home a fine cross from Damien Duff to give Chelsea a 2-1 win at Middlesbrough in the English premier league on Sunday (October 5). Chelsea, determined to make amends for their midweek home defeat by Besiktas of Turkey in the Champions League, stayed third, one point behind Arsenal and level on points with Manchester United. Chelsea went in front in the 17th minute after Frank Lampard robbed George Boateng in midfield and Damien Duff set up Iceland's Eidur Gudjohnsen for a low shot inside Mark Schwarzer's right hand post. It was the first goal conceded by Middlesbrough in four games after three successive 1-0 wins. Middlesbrough equalised within 20 seconds of the start of the second half when Gazaika Mendieta's perceptive pass found Szilard Nemeth who steered a first time shot past Carlo Cudicini. Middlesbrough took control but it was Chelsea substitute Crespo who had the best chance, only to smash his shot into Schwarzer's face from point blank range in the 77th minute.


Crespo looked crestfallen but redeemed himself two minutes from time when he rose at the far post to head in Duff's cross and give Chelsea all three points.


League table before Aston Villa v Bolton Wanderers (kickoff 1505g) P W D L F A Pts 1. Arsenal 8 6 2 0 16 6 20 2. Manchester United 8 6 1 1 16 3 19 3. Chelsea 7 6 1 0 18 7 19 4. Fulham 7 4 2 1 15 9 14 5. Birmingham City 7 4 2 1 8 5 14 6. Manchester City 8 3 3 2 14 9 12 7. Southampton 8 3 3 2 8 5 12 8. Liverpool 8 3 2 3 12 9 11 9. Charlton Athletic 8 3 2 3 12 12 11 10. Portsmouth 8 2 3 3 10 9 9 11. Blackburn Rovers 8 2 2 4 15 16 8 12. Everton 8 2 2 4 12 14 8 13. Tottenham Hotspur 8 2 2 4 8 12 8 14. Leeds United 8 2 2 4 8 17 8 15. Aston Villa 7 2 1 4 7 11 7 16. Bolton Wanderers 7 1 4 2 5 11 7 17. Middlesbrough 8 2 1 5 7 14 7 18. Newcastle United 7 1 3 3 8 10 6 19. Leicester City 8 1 2 5 10 15 5 20. Wolverhampton Wanderers 8 1 2 5 3 18 5

Bureau Report