Viduka came off the bench to score the winner after Emanuel Pogatetz's strike ten minutes from time cancelled out Andriy Shevchenko's first Premiership goal in the first-half.

The result put Chelsea in seventh place of the Premiership table with three points, while Middlesbrough are 10th with the same amount.

Shevchenko opened the score in the 17th minute when midfielder Michael Essien released Wayne Bridge in the left flank before the England international defender sent a low cross to the Ukrainian who drilled the ball home.

Unmarked Pogatetz leveled the score in the 80th minute when he towered to head Fabio Rochemback's free-kick into the back of the net.

Australian striker Viduka sealed the precious win after he capitalized on a goal-mouth scramble inside the area following Stewart Downing's cross to slot the ball past Chelsea Italian keeper Carlo Cudicini.

Elsewhere, Manchester United grabbed their second successive victory after thrashing Charlton Athletic 3-0.

Darren Fletcher put United ahead four minutes after the re-start before French striker Louis Saha doubled the lead in the 80th minute.

Substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjear completed the rout in the stoppage time.

In other matches, Fulham tied Bolton Wanderers 1-1, Aston Villa beat Reading 2-1, Blackburn Rovers drew 1-1 with Everton and Manchester City were held to a goalless draw with Portsmouth.