BORO'S best home crowd for 14 years - 28,286 - packed into the Riverside Stadium for the first game at the new ground. 

There was an electric atmosphere as "midget gems" Craig Hignett and Nick Barmby lit up the stadium with their impish skills.

The breakthrough came just ove five minutes from half-time as Barmby surged into the box before squaring the ball to Hignett, who cleverly slotted home the first goal at the stadium.

Chelsea roared back in the second half with a series of dangerous attacks, but Glenn Hoddle's side were unable to deliver a decisive blow.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Boro tied up the three points thanks to more great work from the brilliant Barmby, who this time set up Jan Fjortoft to make it 2-0.

Boro: Miller, Cox, Morris, Vickers, Pearson, Whyte, Barmby, Pollock, Fjortoft, Mustoe, Hignett.