Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, AP

Every time Chelsea get the ball now they are pushing much higher up the pitch. 

That must mean Conte wasn't happy with the pressure they were applying in the first half. 

Image source, AP

Aah, you gotta hit the target.

Marten de Roon does brilliantly to win the ball back and it eventually gets to Gaston Ramirez outside the area.

The Uruguayan is under little pressure, takes a touch before blazing over the cross.

Not good.

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

I spoke to a few Middlesbrough fans during half time just then and they were saying they need to get the ball into the wider areas. 

We know that but if you haven't got the players to do anything with it what's the point? 

Get Brad Guzan on...NOW!

Alvaro Negredo has a shot from 30 yards out...

...which goes out for a throw in.

Image source, Opta

Gaston Ramirez's free-kick is straight at a Chelsea wall which stood firm.

Now Middlesbrough have a chance.

Gaston Ramirez controls the ball brilliantly with his head (fluked it actually) and wrong foots Cesar Azpilicueta.

The Chelsea defenders hauls the Uruguayan down 30 yards out...

Middlesbrough full-back Fabio making his first start of the season and you can tell.

He allows Victor Moses the freedom of the Riverside pitch, but the Nigerian's ball into the box is poor and Boro are able to clear.

20 seconds in to the second half and Chelsea almost double their lead.

Wing-back Marcos Alonso collects the ball outside the area and strikes a low effort which Victor Valdes gets sharply down to to push away.

Excellent stop.

Image source, Getty Images

Head count from Jon Moss.

Yep, yep, all present and correct.

Back under way.

Thibaut Courtois out back on the pitch very early, his team-mates are still in the changing room.

He's having a ball kicked at him by one of the coaching staff.

"You've not done enough work today," Antonio Conte told the Belgian*. "Get out there are get some practice in."

*probably 

The Boro subs going through a stringent warm-up at the interval.

This includes Brad Guzan.

Will Aitor Karanka spring a surprise and send him on for Alvaro Negredo?

Well, he can't do much worse than the Spaniard's performances so far this season.

Image source, Reuters

Diego Costa's goal the difference.

Fantasy football managers rejoice around the land.

Two minutes added on. What will Aitor Karanka say to his troops at half time?

Mwansa kapoka: Everyone except Costa fell asleep. Chelsea looking good

Ewan 'The Roch' Lury: Costa is like an animal His eyes just flick to the ball before anyone else and he pounces on it. Best forward in the Prem at the moment.  

Now what do Middlesbrough do? They had 11 men behind the ball up until the goal.

Two minutes to go until the interval, they'll not want to concede another, that is for sure.

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Getty Images

That was poorly defended by Middlesbrough. They seemed to lose sight of where the ball was. But Costa, being the centre forward he is, doesn't lose sight of it at all. It's a real goal snatchers goal, that. 

Over the last 10-15 minutes, Chelsea have begun to take control and the goal was deserved. 

Pat Nevin
Ex-Chelsea winger on BBC Radio 5 live

Middlesbrough are playing at their absolute maximum at the moment but you haven't seen the best from Chelsea, especially Hazard and Costa. 

They don't seem to have turned up yet. 

They are at home, but Middlesbrough have 11 men behind the ball and are asking Chelsea if they can break them down.

The Blues work the ball patiently before Victor Moses' shot nicks off Fabio and away for a corner...