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Carvalho celebrates his goal

FULL-TIME : Chelsea take the points courtesy of Carvalho's early goal, but the win was far from convincing for the home side as Boro pushed Chelsea all the way.

Last chance : Belletti is booked and Boro have a free-kick which they can throw into the box, but Downing's delivery is poor and Chelsea clear.

ADDED TIME : There will be three minutes added on at the end of the 90 minutes and Chelsea fans will be counting down the seconds.

89 - SUB: Cattermole is replaced by Shawky for Boro.

89 - SUB : Drogba is replaced by Alex as Avram Grant looks to shore things up at the back.

Nervous times : Middlesbrough have claims for a penalty turned down as the ball strikes Belletti inside the box, but referee Phil Dowd waves away their appeals.

: Sam Hinrichs believes Boro can still get something out of the game despite missing those great chances in that goalmouth flurry.

82 - What an escape : Middlesbrough waste three chances to draw level with Alves heading against the crossbar and from the rebound Wheater also heads against the woodwork and after the ball drops to Aliadiere he blazes his shot wide of the target. Boro will never have a better chance to score.

: Chelsea fan David Raper fears Middlesbrough could get an equaliser at Stamford Bridge.

79 - SUB : Adam Johnson comes on for O'Neil.

78 - SUB: Kalou is taken off with Anelka coming on for Chelsea.

75 - Livened up: The game has livened up and Kalou is denied a goal by Schwarzer who produces a fine save to keep out his header.

: Tom Minter believes Boro can grab a late equaliser at Stamford Bridge.

73 - What an escape : Alves beats Cudicini to a through ball and fires his shot towards the empty net only to see it come off the post and into the grateful arms of Cudicini. Maybe that has woken up that woman up.

Catching up on sleep: A woman is spotted asleep in the crowd maybe she has the right idea.

70 - Alves chance : Alves misses a great chance to draw Boro level when he heads Downing's cross just wide of the target.

67 - What a waste: Wright-Phillips has another chance to score seconds later when Kalou picks him out unmarked on the edge of the box, but the England international lifts his shot horribly over the crossbar.

66 - Immediate impact : Wright-Phillips goes close to scoring with his first touch when he is played in by Cole only to drag his shot wide of the target.

65 - SUB: Chelsea make their first change of the game with Ballack coming off for Shaun Wright-Phillips.

64 - SUB: Afonso Alves comes on for Tuncay as Boro make the first change of the contest.

62 - Soft free-kick : Boro win a free-kick on the edge of the box after Downing is bodychecked by Belletti. However the free-kick comes to nothing as Terry clears the danger.

60 - No spark : An hour gone at Stamford Bridge and it remains 1-0 to Chelsea, but the home side are lacking any spark. Who can provide the spark for Chelsea?

Ouch : Ballack takes one right in the face from Cattermole's clearance. That has got to hurt, but the German is okay to continue.

57 - Essien fires over : The ball drops to Essien on the edge of the box and he fires in a volley which fizzes just over the top.

54 - Mikel wide : From the free-kick Mikel blasts well wide of the target as Chelsea make a bit of a mess of the chance.

53 - Dangerous free-kick: Chelsea win a free-kick on the edge of the box after Kalou is felled by Wheater.

Same again : The opening five minutes of the second half is following the same pattern of the first with Chelsea looking below-par. Do both managers need to make changes to liven the game up?

49 - Corner for Chelsea : Chelsea win the first corner of the second half and from it Terry heads straight at Schwarzer.

RESTART : Chelsea get the second half underway hoping to finish off Boro and Cole has an early chance, but Schwarzer is off his line quickly to collect the ball at the midfielder's feet.

No changes: Drogba is back on the pitch much to the relief of the home faithful.

: Chelsea fan James Ford believes Chelsea will go on to win 2-0 with Joe Cole being the main man. And by the way my cup of tea has gone done well. Pity it was nothing stronger.

HALF-TIME : Chelsea go into the break 1-0 up thanks to Carvalho's early opener, but Boro have played well and will feel they are still in with a shout. Should either manager make any changes at the break? Right I am off for a well-deserved cup of tea and see you all again in 15 minutes.

Drogba returns : Drogba returns to the action but he looks like he is struggling. How big a blow would it be for Chelsea to lose Drogba?

ADDED TIME : There will be two minutes added on at the end of the first half.

45 - Drogba worry: Drogba is down in need of treatment after a heavy tackle by Lee Cattermole. Chelsea will be hoping Drogba is okay to continue.

44 - Drogba should score : Cole flights over a superb cross to Drogba only for the striker to head his effort over the top. Will Chelsea be forced to rue these missed chances?

43 - Drogba inches away : Drogba goes close to scoring when his free-kick is deflected just wide of the target.

42 - Kalou is lucky : Kalou wins a free-kick on the edge of the box for an apparent foul by Boateng, but it looked like Kalou had lost control of the ball anyway.

40 - Taylor saves Boro : Andrew Taylor makes a vital block to deny Cole getting his shot on target.

Patched up: Tuncay is being bandaged up by the Boro medical team after a nasty clash of heads, but he looks like he will be fine to continue. How well has Tuncay done for Boro this season?

: James Breckon believes Boro can grab a point at Stamford Bridge with Downing netting the equaliser.

37 - Tuncay worry : Tuncay needs treatment after a clash of heads with Carvalho. Boro will be hoping their Turkish star will be okay to continue.

35 - Kalou goes close : Essien does superbly down the right and crosses for Kalou who sees his close-range shot kept out by the legs of Schwarzer.

33 - Lacklustre Blues : Chelsea may be winning but they are struggling to find their best form. Why are Chelsea struggling? Is it to do with the midweek internationals and tiredness?

: Chelsea fan Toh Zhi Hua believes Michael Ballack could be the difference for Chelsea and he is predicting a 2-0 win.

30 - Home unrest : Some of the Chelsea faithful are growing restless as Chelsea struggle to break down Boro with the visitors looking dangerous.

28 - Cole over : Chelsea create their first chance for a while when Cole volleys over the top after being teed up by Drogba.

Essien backing : Chelsea fan Mark Williams in Australia believes Essien can help fill the void by Lampard's absence feeling midfield is Essien's best position.

: Tyler Creasey is backing Chelsea to win 4-0 and go all the way in the race for the title.

Optimistic: Boro fan Deborah Pennick is hoping her side can get back into the game.

20 - Corner for Boro : Boro are pressing for an equaliser and have won a corner but from the resulting delivery Wheater drives over the crossbar.

16 - Good response : Middlesbrough have responded well to going behind and are starting to launch a few attacks.

13 - Downing effort : Stewart Downing has a sight of goal for Boro, but he sees his shot comfortably saved by Cudicini. Who will help Boro get back into this game?

Hopeful: Ben Instrall remains hopeful Middlesbrough can get something out of the game despite the poor start and feels they can get a 1-1 draw.

9 - Drogba miss : Drogba misses a great chance to double Chelsea's lead when he heads Kalou's corner wide. It could be a long afternoon for Boro if things continue like this.

Surprise scorer : Carvalho is a surprise scorer of the opening goal I wonder what price he was to break the deadlock. Chelsea fan Max Doherty is tipping a 3-0 win for Chelsea and they are on their way already.

6- Pen claims : Middlesbrough try to hit back and have claims for a penalty turned down when Boateng sees his shot blocked by the arms of Carvalho.

GOAL - 5: Carvalho gives Chelsea the perfect start heading home his first Premier League goal in almost a year.

3 - Drogba denied : Didier Drogba has the first shot of the game from 30 yards which Schwarzer spills.

Bad omen : Boro have not beaten Chelsea at Stamford Bridge since 1975 and not scored in their last six visits. Can they rip up the record books today?

KICK-OFF : Middlesbrough get the game underway. Can they continue their run of good performances against the league's big boys?

Confident : Chelsea fan Nick Christou believes Chelsea will beat Boro 3-0 and go on to catch United in the race for the title. What do you think?

Email: Email me at peter.o'rourke@bskyb.com throughout the game to let me know your thoughts. Can Chelsea catch Manchester United at the top of the table? Can Boro dent Chelsea's title bid? How big a miss will Frank Lampard be?

Boro team : Schwarzer, Young, Wheater, Pogatetz, Taylor, O'Neil, Cattermole, Boateng, Downing, Sanli, Aliadiere.

Chelsea team: Cudicini, Belletti, Carvalho, Terry, Bridge, Ballack, Essien, Obi, Joe Cole, Drogba, Kalou.

Welcome: Welcome to skysports.com's minute-by-minute commentary on Chelsea's game with Middlesbrough, which also gives you the chance to offer your views on the match as it progresses.