Chelsea managed onlya single shot in the match on target, but CescFabregas’ 88th minute winner was enough for the Blues to extendtheir lead at the top of the Premier League by seven points, after Arsenalclosed the gap to four points with their 1-0 away victory at Turf Moor onSaturday.
Theman in the mask, Fabergas, kicked home from 16 yards, after the Hoopsgoalkeeper Rob Green’s poor clearance; this was the Spaniard’s fifth goal ofthe season.
Theleaders played poorly and struggled with spirited and well organised Rangers,who worked hard and were pressing throughout the match.
Joey Barton put in a man-of-the-matchperformance, as he was the catalyst for everything that was good about QPR’splay.
Butit was a good day for the Blues keeper ThibautCourtois, who made a few misjudgements recently, which last week culminatedwith Stoke Charlie Adam’s 66 yards wonder-strike. The Belgian goalkeeper helped his team winthe match on Sunday, with a couple of excellent saves – he denied QPR’s 17-goalman Charlie Austin, and also their player of the month for March - MattyPhillips was denied twice.
Chelsea’sgoal celebrations were marred by some of the home fans throwing plasticbottles, coins and other objects at the Blues players; the Serbian right-back Branislav Ivanovic was struck by a cigarettelighter.
QPR boss Chris Ramsey has condemnedthe Rangers fans, who spoiled the dramatic end to the West-London derbycontest.
Chelseadid not display a good performance, but Fabregas’ late winner was sufficient tokeep them at the top, as they built a 12-point gap with their early seasonrivals Manchester City in fourth-place. It was also a good news for theBlues manager that neither Fabergas nor Nemanja Matic were booked, and would beavailable for Chelsea’s next two matches: they have visits to Manchester United,followed by a trip to the Gunners, and will only need three wins and two drawsin their remaining games to claim a fourth PremierLeague title.
QPRstay 18th, two points from safety.
