Chelsea 1
Carvalho 6
Middlesbrough 0
Chelsea 1 Middlesbrough 0 March 30 2008
Chelsea were saved by the woodwork three times in the last 15 minutes on their way to a crucial win over Middlesbrough at Stamford Bridge.
Ricardo Carvalho scored the winning goal after just five minutes when he headed home Wayne Bridge's free-kick to claim his first goal in almost a year.
The Blues had numerous chances to grab a second but Boro substitute Afonso Alves had two great chances to earn his side a point.
The first, on 71, saw him curl onto the post from 20 yards after Carlo Cudicini had raced out of goal and missed the ball, with only two defenders in between Alves and the equaliser.
The second, ten minutes later, saw him head against the bar following a Stewart Downing free-kick, with the ball rebounding for David Wheater who also nodded onto the bar.
Chelsea held on, though, to move back above Arsenal into second.