Chelsea relegate Boro and move within a win of Premier League title after 3-0 victory

Chelsea condemned Middlesbrough to relegation and moved within one victory of the Premier League title with a 3-0 win at Stamford Bridge.

Diego Costa scored the opener – his 20th league goal of the season – as the Blues’ eased to a comfortable victory which saw Boro join Sunderland in dropping down to the Championship.

Marcos Alonso then doubled the home’s side lead after Brad Guzan failed to deal with his shot in the first half.

Antonio Conte, who started with Cesc Fabregas to replaced the injured N’Golo Kante, saw his side continue to dominate with Pedro rattling the bar in the second half while the visitors offered little going forward in comparison.

And Nemanja Matic wrapped up victory with his first goal at Stamford Bridge which means Chelsea will clinch the title with victory against West Brom on Friday.

If Cesc Fabregas decides to leave in the summer, how big a loss will it be for Conte? The 30-year-old has not been a regular starter this season and was selected due to N'Golo Kante's injury. But his assists and composure on the ball showed he will be a big miss to Chelsea’s squad following reports of him being linked with a move to Italy. With John Terry leaving and Diego Costa reportedly a target for Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian, Fabregas's experience could be vital.

Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea): The Spaniard showed his enduring class with a string of sublime long-range passes which sliced the Boro defence open. He set up the goals for Costa and Matic and came close to scoring with a deflected volley.

CHELSEA: Courtois 5, Azpilcueta 7, Luiz 6, Cahill 5, Moses 6, Fabregas 9, Matic 7, Alonso 8, Pedro 7, Costa 7, Hazard 6. Subs: Willian 6, Chaloboah n/a, Terry n/a

MIDDLESBROUGH: Guzan 4, Fabio 4, Chambers 4, Gibson 4, Friend 5, De Roon 5, Clayton 4, Forshaw 5, Traore 5, Negredo 4, Downing 6. Subs: Leadbitter 6, Bamford 6, Gestede n/a

2’ - WOODWORK! Alonso rattles the bar via Guzan's hand with a brilliantly executed volley from a tight angle from Fabregas' cross.

17’ - FABREGAS MISS! Hazard runs down the wing and cuts the ball back for the Spaniard who places his low shot from the edge of the area wide.

23’ - GOAL! Chelsea 1-0 Middlesbrough: A cross-field ball into the box from Fabregas finds Costa via a deflection and he slots the ball through the keeper's legs from six yards out to give the hosts the lead.

34’ - GOAL! Chelsea 2-0 Middlesbrough: Alonso slides in to score at the near post with the ball going Guzan's leg following Azpilcueta's pass.

38’ - GOOD SAVE: Pinpoint ball from Fabregas releases Moses who is through on goal and fires in a low shot which is blocked by Guzan.

47’ - WOODWORK! Pedro rattles the bar with a trademark long-range drive 25 yards out. Chelsea have made a similar start to the first 45 minutes.

65’ - GOAL! Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough: From a corner, Fabregas flicks the ball beautifully for Matic to chest the ball down and fire in the ball from close range.

Fabregas is the first player to notch up double figures for assists for six seasons in the Premier League.

Boro have not scored at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League since 2001.