Chelsea close in on title and condemn Boro to relegation

Reuters: Chelsea moved within three points of clinching the Premier League title with a 3-0 victory that condemned Middlesbrough to relegation on Monday after goals from Spaniards Diego Costa and Marcos Alonso plus a tap-in by NemanjaMatic.

A win at West Bromwich Albion on Friday will secure the title in coach Antonio Conte’s first season at Chelsea.

Costa got his 20th league goal this season in the 23rd minute, controlling a ball lofted into the area by compatriot CescFabregas and neatly nutmegging keeper Brad Guzan.

Two Spaniards were involved in Chelsea’s second goal in the 34th minute, Cesar Azpilicueta lifting the ball to Alonso on the left, who squeezed it under Guzan, with the ball hitting the stranded keeper’s legs on the way into the net.

NemanjaMatic got the third goal in the 65th from another neat Fabregas chip to pile the misery on Boro, who will join north-east neighbours Sunderland in the second tier next season.

“This game was very important for us after Tottenham’s defeat (at West Ham on Friday) and the possibility to take three points and go seven points clear of Tottenham,” said Conte.

“This is a big step because there are three games and we need to take three points to win the title. We need another win and then to celebrate another fantastic target for us.”

Chelsea have 84 points from 35 games followed by Tottenham Hotspur on 77 points also with three games remaining.