Chelsea hit the top of the Premier League table as a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough saw them overtake Liverpool to reach the summit for the first time this season.

Diego Costa notched his 10th goal of the season – the first player in the Premier League to do so this season – to secure victory for Antonio Conte’s Chelsea, with the three points enough to give them a slender lead at the top of the table by a solitary point over Liverpool and Manchester City.

The Blues were made to work for it against a resolute yet defensive-minded Boro side, but Costa reacted with to a ball that dropped in the danger zone after a Chelsea corner was not dealt with. The Brazil-born Spain international hit the ball first time past Middlesbrough goalkeeper Victor Valdes four minutes from half-time to score what would prove to be the match-winner.

Middlesbrough had little to show attacking-wise for their efforts, with Chelsea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois not called into action until the 78th minute when he needed to safe from former City striker Alvaro Negredo.

Despite a late surge to try and find the equaliser, Boro came up short and the win saw Chelsea send out a title warning to their nearest rivals that there will be no repeat of last season this time around.