Chelsea started their Premiership campaign against Middlesborough. Before the game Macdonald was asked about his title chances. He commented that he has a great team, and a team composed of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players deserves to win the biggest prize in England. As suspected he named no foreigners in his starting 11, which Cech being the only one on the bench. He failed to get on.
Chelsea started brightly with a long range Joe cole effort being tipped over. But after that the game got dull. Only a few chances came either way although Chelsea had the majority of the posession in the first half.
In the second half it was different. Middlesborough were forced to be on the defensive and seemed to be coping well until the 79th minute.
Barry took a corner which didn't get cleared, the ball fell to Lampards feet 6 yards out, he could hardly miss.
Middlesborough attack from then until the end with Tuncay going close twice and well as putting Aliadiere through, but they couldn't score.
Macdonald was pleased, although his team didn't play well they got the victory. He commented after the game to Chelsea TV, 'You will see our team perform better as we gel, Middlesborough tried to frustrate us, and almost managed it.'
