It was all a bit after the Lord Mayor's Show.

There was a distinct feeling of what-might-have-been about Stamford Bridge today after the valiant and breathless performance in midweek against Barcelona when Chelsea came within seven minutes of a European Cup semi-final.

Instead, after this mundane draw, they have the prospect of going to Old Trafford on Monday for Manchester United's Premiership title party knowing they have precious little chance of joining the English champions in the Champions League next season.

And, in truth, Chelsea have only themselves to blame.

They outplayed Middlesbrough for large parts of this match. They displayed all the quality, most of the style and created a series of gilt-edged opportunities after Gustavo Poyet had given the Blues the lead with a close-range header within the first 10 minutes.

But ultimately, whether through tiredness or anti-climax, they failed to deliver the three points which would have at least given them a battling chance of finishing in the top three.

And so often hasn't that been the story of Chelsea's season in the Premiership - losing games they should have won easily because they had one eye elsewhere.

A banner in the West Stand proclaimed 'We're so proud of you Chelsea' in honour of their European exploits.

There was little on show to instil pride this afternoon and manager Gianluca Vialli must hope that his side can recover their best form in time for the FA Cup final next month, which now provides them with their best chance of a European place.

Not that we should undersell Middlesbrough, who have flourished with a late-season rally and showed the battling qualities manager Bryan Robson has been calling for all season.

In Paul Ince they had the deserved man-of-the-match, a feisty, tenacious performance of typical rumbustiousness.

Chelsea, however, could not have started more brightly, threatening to overwhelm Middlesbrough in the first quarter of an hour.

As it was they scored after just nine minutes and that man Dennis Wise was inevitably involved.

Wise leads the Stamford Bridge statistical count of most passes, most crosses and most tackles by some considerable distance.

This time it was one of his wickedly swinging corners which caused chaos in the Middlesbrough defence, allowing Poyet to rise and head home from a couple of yards for his 16th goal of the season.

It was a thoroughly deserved lead for a Chelsea side which was without George Weah and Celestine Babayaro, away on international duty, and which included right-fullback Mario Melchiot, bought from Ajax and who has been recovering from a broken leg, making his first start of the season.

It seemed Chelsea would run away with it such was their domination in those early stages, but they do have a tendency to sit back and admire their own passing patterns.

And suddenly Middlesbrough awoke from their slumbers to equalise completely against the run of play.

They won a corner on the right and Christian Ziege swept over a deep cross which Gianluca Festa latched onto at the far post, heading the ball back across goal for Ricard to tap home his 14th goal of the season from six yards.

Still Chelsea looked in control and we sat back and awaited the goal rush.

Indeed, in the 56th minute Chelsea could not have come closer to scoring. Ambrosetti latched on to Zola's pass and steamed forward before unleashing a left foot shot which struck the inside of the post and ran across the goal-line before running away to safety.

Zola went close before being replaced by Tore Andre Flo and Poyet produced a fine tip-over save from Boro goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Middlesbrough also had their chances and no-one could fault the extra application Robson has instilled in his side in the latter stages of the season.

Indeed, Ince might have scored with a 20-yard thunderbolt which went just wide and then Ricard was clean through with only Ed De Goey to beat but he fired straight at the goalkeeper's legs.

Chelsea breathed a sigh of relief and suddenly their ageing side looked very, very tired.

The Londoner's Premiership run-in is daunting - Manchester United on Monday and then away games with Liverpool and Arsenal before finishing their season at Stamford Bridge against Derby.

How Chelsea might regret last week's defeat against Sheffield Wednesday and today's draw.

For Middlesbrough fans, whose team are safe but marooned in a lower mid-table position with 44 points, all that remains are the final mundane throes in what has been a frustrating season.

Not that it looked that way as they battled bravely and brilliantly this afternoon.

Teams:

Chelsea: De Goey, Melchiot (Harley 72), Thome, Desailly, Lambourde, Poyet, Deschamps (Morris 61), Wise, Ambrosetti,Sutton, Zola (Flo 61).

Subs Not Used: Leboeuf, Cudicini.

Goals: Poyet 10.

Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Cooper, Vickers, Festa, Fleming, Summerbell, Ince, Mustoe, Ziege, Deane, Ricard (Campbell 78).

Subs Not Used: Beresford, Stamp, Maddison, Juninho.

Booked: Fleming.

Goals: Ricard 37.

Att: 34,467

Ref: U Rennie (Sheffield).