Salomon Kalou kept Chelsea's title aspirations alive with a second-half double to leave Middlesbrough entrenched in the relegation zone after a 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge.Kalou opened the scoring in the 58th minute and added a second 10 minutes from time as Chelsea moved second in the table, two points behind leaders Manchester United.
Middlesbrough have now gone 11 games without a win in the Barclays Premier League and this latest setback will only increase the pressure on boss Gareth Southgate.
Chelsea's start was hardly inspiring, though, with a hopeful dribble into the penalty area from Kalou the highlight of the opening 10 minutes of the game.
The Ivorian striker bamboozled most of the Boro defence but ran out of space before he could test keeper Ross Turnbull.
Alex saw a goal-bound header inexplicably glanced over the bar by Kalou in the second half but he broke the deadlock 58th minute when Boro defender David Wheater could only partially head clear and the frontman volleyed the ball home.
Kalou made it two for Chelsea 10 minutes from time with his last act of the game before going off to a standing ovation from the home faithful.
The Ivorian rose unmarked to head home a corner from Frank Lampard after Middlesbrough goalkeeper Turnbull had completely missed the ball.
Kalou celebrated his goal with a bizarre handcuff gesture, as the Blues took advantage of Liverpool`s draw at Wigan to move into second place on goal difference from the Reds and two points adrift of Manchester United.
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