Blues miss chance to go top
Cameroon ace Geremi gave Middlesbrough the lead in the 32nd minute with a brilliantly executed free kick from the edge of the area, which left Blues goalkeeper Carlo Cudicini with no chance.
The goal stung Chelsea into action and John Terry, who was only playing in the absence of the missing Marcel Desailly, equalised three minutes before the break with a close-range finish after the home defence failed to clear Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's corner.
Both sides pushed forward in search of a winner in the second half but neither side could break down the respective defences.
The point leaves Chelsea in third spot a point behind leaders Arsenal.
Everton moved into fourth spot in the table above Liverpool with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Blackburn at Goodison Park.
Andy Cole got the visitors off to a dream start firing them in front after just six minutes beating the home defence to David Thompson's inviting free kick to score.
The lead only lasted six minutes as former Rovers star Lee Carsley struck from close-range to bring the sides level.
Boy wonder Wayne Rooney then repaid manager David Moyes' faith in giving him a a rare start by shooting Everton in front after 25 minutes with a powerful finish.
Blackburn's hopes of getting back into the contest suffered a blow when Australian defender Lucas Neill was sent-off 15 minutes from time for a second bookable offence and Everton coasted to the win.
Marc-Vivien Foe was the hero for Manchester City hitting a late brace to help Kevin Keegan's men come from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Charlton at The Valley.
Jason Euell fired the home side in front from the penalty spot in the 51st minute after City midfielder Kevin Horlock had been adjudged to have fouled Kevin Lisbie in the box.
Substitute Claus Jensen doubled Charlton's advantage with the second goal after 63 minutes with a superb side-footed finish.
Foe got City back in the game pulling a goal back in the 73rd minute.
The Cameroon star then continued his rich vein in front of goal with an equaliser three minutes from time for his third goal in five days to earn City a point and deny Charlton recording their fifth win on the trot.
Thomas Hitzlsperger's brilliant last-minute goal earned ten-man Aston Villa a priceless 2-1 win over West Brom in a passionate Midlands derby at Villa Park.
Darius Vassell fired the home side in front after 16 minutes with his fifth goal of the season.
West Brom drew level just before the half hour mark with Jason Koumas netting his first goal for the club with a superb curling shot.
Villa were forced to play last 20 minutes with ten men after Steve Staunton was sent-off for violent conduct after appearing to elbow Baggies striker Danny Dichio.
The game looked set to end all-square until Hitzlsperger produced a devastating 30-yard shot to stun the visitors and give the home side all three points.
Southampton and Newcastle shared the spoils after an entertaining 1-1 draw at St Mary's
Newcastle took the lead five minutes after the restart with Craig Bellamy netting the 50th league goal of his career with a wonderful effort from the edge of the penalty area.
The lead only lasted two minutes as Chris Marsden was on hand from close-range to draw the home side level.
Despite numerous chances for both sides in the last quarter the game ended level.
Click on fixture for full match summary
Aston Villa 2-1 West Brom
Charlton 2-2 Manchester City
Everton 2-1 Blackburn
Middlesbrough 1-1 Chelsea
Southampton 1-1 Newcastle
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