Diego Costa’s killer instinct in front of goal was enough for Antonio Conte’s side to go top of the Premier League table this weekend as Chelsea managed to post a 6^th straight win with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough on Sunday. They kept yet another clean sheet, their 6^th in as many games, on their way to the top and are now genuine title contenders going into the rest of the season. Aitor Karanka’s Middlesbrough failed to create enough chances to keep the Blues under pressure and failed to clear a corner giving up the only goal in the game just before the break. The visitors put in a commanding performance on the night as Middlesbrough failed to keep them from scoring. Here are the player ratings for the Blues for this game:

Thibaut Courtois (6):

Getting a 6^th consecutive clean sheet in the league, the Belgian, hardly had anything to do on the night as he commanded his box whenever called upon to help his side to a victory.

Cesar Azpilicueta (6):

Solid at the back as usual, the Spaniard, put in a decent performances, keeping the ball for long periods as Chelsea tried to break a disciplined Middlesbrough open during the game.

David Luiz (7):

A man mountain at the back in the middle of the three man defense for Conte, Luiz, is showing more and more quality at the back helping Chelsea to yet another victory.

Gary Cahill (6):

Put in yet another decent performance at the back as he kept the likes of Alvaro Negredo away from danger to help his side to yet another clean sheet.

Victor Moses (6):

Full of energy and running on the night, Moses, put in a great shift at both ends of the field adding balance to the squad on the night.

N Golo Kante (7):

Was superb in the midfield for the Blues, running the show and helping his side keep the ball for long periods as they tried to break Middlesbrough down patiently.

Nemanja Matic (6):

Stuck to his task in the midfield and put in a number of crucial interceptions when called upon on a comfortable night for the Serbian.

Marcos Alonso (6):

A solid presence on the flank for Chelsea, Alonso, has adjusted well to a wing-back position and played an important role in Chelsea’s victory on the night.

Pedro (5):

Missed a couple of half-chances and was also wasteful in possession at times in the final third in one of the few average performances from the Spaniard this season.

Eden Hazard (7):

Put in yet another shift on the night for Chelsea as he dropped deep when needed and controlled the tempo of the game in the final third to help his side to a 6^th straight victory this season.

Diego Costa (7):

The man of the match on the night, Costa, was ever present in the attacking area for Chelsea as he troubled the Middlesbrough defense throughout the night, scoring a poacher’s goal to give his side all three points on the night.

Subs:

Branislav Ivanovic (6):

Replaced Victor Moses in the second half and added a bit of solidarity at the back for Chelsea in the closing stages of the game.

Nathaniel Chalobah (6):

The youngster got a few minutes under his belt as he added some fresh legs that helped Chelsea see out the game.

Oscar (6):

Came into the game too late to have an impact but helped his side take home all three points on the night.