Late Cesc Fabregas winner takes Chelsea one step closer to the title

Cesc Fabregas netted a late winner to give Chelsea a vital three points against local rivals QPR at Loftus Road.

The victory takes Chelsea a big step closer to the Premier League title they so crave while condemning QPR to another week in the bottom three of the Premier League.

QPR will be gutted not to have got anything out of the game having had Chelsea on the back-foot for much of the game against after a lacklustre Blues performance.

The first half was a scrappy affair with only a 44th-minute effort from Charlie Austin troubling either goalkeeper.

The second half continued in much the same manner but Chelsea managed to get the three points despite a very poor performance.

Chelsea now go seven points clear at the top with a game in hand on Arsenal and only need four wins from their last seven games to win the title. QPR sit two points adrift of safety but will take heart from a superb performance against the champions elect.

18’ – CHANCE! Fabregas plays a free kick low to the penalty spot from the left which Matic runs on to and cracks towards goal but Barton’s block stops Green from ever having to make a save.

20’ – GREAT DEFENDING! Phillips puts a ball in to the far post which Caulker looks odds on to nod in with ease but Cahill leaps at the final moment to head it clear for a corner and stop a certain goal.

44’ – CHANCE! First proper shot of the game as Austin gets on the end of a Zamora knockdown. He sets himself and lets fly from 30 yards out but Courtois does well to get across his goal and push the ball away.

49 ‘ – CHANCE! Phillips does well to find space on the right wing and swing a cross to the far post where Zamora is just inches away from poking home.

59’ – CHANCE! Oscar swings in a corner to Drogba who can’t get much contact on the ball. It almost drops to Ivanovic in the middle but he too can’t connect and QPR get away with one.

64’ – CHANCE! Zamora reaches the byline and cuts a ball back to Phillips who turns beautifully and fires left footed from point blank range but it is close to Courtois and the keeper is able to save well.

88’ – GOAL! Green with a poor clearance that goes more up than long and Hazard is first onto it. He bursts to the byline and cuts it back to Fabregas who makes no mistake and tucks it home from nine yards.

This is only Chelsea’s second victory at Loftus Road in their past 14 visits having lost six and drawn six previously

The last time Chelsea did the double over QPR in the top division was in 1968-69 season

QPR haven’t won in their last 13 London derbies, drawing three and losing ten

Cesc Fabregas’ late winner was Chelsea’s 100th goal in all competition this year.

How important will that goal be at both ends of the table? Chelsea needed a win today to perhaps knock the stuffing out of Arsenal who have put on a good chase for the title in recent weeks but are now seven points behind. QPR could have had a huge psychological boost with a win today and getting themselves out of the bottom three but the last minute goal could be catastrophic with just six games left.

Joey Barton (QPR): He may have been on the losing side but he was absolutely everywhere for his side today. He made tackles, set up attacks, got his team-mates and the fans going and was absolutely brilliant. Reminiscent of his younger days. An all-round great game.

QPR: Green 6, Isla 7, Onuoha 7, Caulker 7, Hill 7, Phillips 8, Barton 9, Henry 8, Sandro 8, Austin 8, Zamora 8. Subs: Krancjar 7, Hoilett 7.

Chelsea: Courtois 8, Ivanovic 6, Cahill 6, Terry 7, Azpilicueta 6, Matic 6, Fabregas 7, Willian 6, Hazard 6, Ramires 5, Drogba 6. Subs: Zouma n/a, Oscar 7, Cuadrado 5.