Middlesbrough's George Boateng has warned Chelsea not to expect an easy ride as they attempt to close the gap on leaders Manchester United.Boro head for Stamford Bridge on Sunday knowing United could have increased their advantage at the top of the Premier League table to eight points by the time their game kicks off.

That would provide Avram Grant's men with an added incentive to extend their 14-game unbeaten league run, which has brought them 34 points from a possible 42 since they lost at Arsenal on December 16.

However, Boro have shown little sign of shedding their infuriating capacity for getting results against the big boys while struggling to do so against some of the division's lesser lights, and will head for London intent upon returning with something to show for their efforts.

Gareth Southgate's men have beaten and drawn with Arsenal and taken a point from Liverpool already this season, and have no fears as they prepare for their latest tough mission.

Boateng said: "Funnily enough, the games in which people don't fancy Middlesbrough, we always get points against the good teams.

"We have Manchester United at home in a few weeks, we have Totenham away, we have Chelsea away - who knows? We have shown we can beat the best.

"I was lucky enough to start the game against Arsenal at home a few months ago when they came here unbeaten. Everybody wanted to play and enjoyed it and we won.

"This year alone, we have taken four points from Arsenal, and you know the league is going to be decided by just one or two points."

As ever, Boro have endured a mixed season and find themselves sitting in 12th place in the table, eight points clear of the drop zone but 16 shy of the top six.

Their fortunes have improved markedly in recent weeks following their ignominious exit from the FA Cup at the hands of surprise semi-finalists Cardiff.

Away draws at Aston Villa and Arsenal were followed last weekend by a laboured 1-0 victory over doomed Derby, but Boateng is convinced they have now laid the foundation for a much more comfortable conclusion to the campaign.

He said: "If we had not got results straight after Cardiff, it would have been a long, long season to the end and we would definitely have been dragged into the relegation fight.

"Once you are there, it is not about how well you can play, it is then the mental toughness to come out of the relegation zone.

"Normally we say 40 points, but I don't see that this year, I don't think 40 points will be needed because the teams below us are playing each other."

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