After the Tottenham title charge fell flat on Friday, Chelsea picked up that expected win against Middlesbrough on Monday to move to within one win of the English Premier League title, a remarkable Premier League title tilt at that.
Having started the season in terrible form, following a write-off of a season, Chelsea found their mojo when Antonio Conte shifted to a back three and since then, their season has taken only one trajectory.
That trajectory has been about wins and the 27th of the Premier League season came in a 3-0 result over Middlesbrough, a result which moved Chelsea ever closer to the title and confirmed Boro's relegation from the EPL.
With a seven-point gap between Chelsea and second-placed Spurs, and with both teams left with just three games to play, it is most definitely now a matter of when as far as the Blues taking that Premier League trophy home is concerned, with that when likely to come on Friday, against West Bromwich Albion.
"For sure now I am a bit relaxed," Antonio Conte, the mastermind behind this title run, said. "This step was big.
"It was a big win at this stage of the season. It's great. Now we need to do another step. We have the possibility to do this on Friday against West Brom, but for sure it won't be easy because West Brom are a really good, physical team so we must pay attention.
"But for sure, we did a big step. I must be honest, and I must be pleased for the performance, the commitment, the desire and the will of my players on the pitch. It's great to score three goals, to create many chances and also to keep another clean sheet. I'm satisfied."
The goals on Monday came from Diego Costa, Marcos Alonso and Nemanja Matic – Cesc Fabregas assisting the first and third goals – with Boro able to do little to prolong their own stay in the Premier League.
Having only come up to the top flight this season, Middlesbrough will now contemplate life back in the Championship as their lack of cutting edge up front cost them dear.
"We're absolutely devastated," Boro caretaker manager Steve Agnew said. "We worked so hard to get back in the Premier League last season.
"To lose (against Chelsea) and lose our Premier League status is a massive and bitter disappointment.
"Now we have to finish off strongly before a summer of reflection. It's about Middlesbrough Football Club and how we can turn it around next season to get this club back where it belongs."
Result: Chelsea 3-0 Middlesbrough.
Scorers: Chelsea: Diego Costa 23, Marcos Alonso 34, Nemanja Matic, 65.
