Chelsea 2 QPR 1

A fantastic first time shot with the outside of his right foot on 32 minutes by Oscar deservedly put Chelsea on the way to retaining the Premiership lead and continuing their unbeaten start to the season. It followed a powerful driving run by Cesc Fabregas that opened up the space for the Brazilian on the right of the penalty box, which still left him plenty to do from a tight angle, but his arcing shot evaded Robert Green in the Rangers goal and glanced off the inside of the post and into the net.

The Blues bossed the majority of the first half and with star striker Diego Costa back up front after a four match absence, had looked likely to add to their lead in the second period.

QPR have been showing improving form in recent weeks though and surprisingly drew level in the second half on 62 minutes, as Charlie Austin showed a piece of ingenuity to back heel an off target shot from Dutch international Leroy Fer into the host's net. It took until 75 minutes were on the clock for the league leaders to regain the lead as Eden Hazard converted a penalty, after he had been fouled in the penalty area by Eduardo Vargas.

QPR put up brave resilience throughout the game, especially Green who made a string of top saves during the afternoon, but could not draw level a second time, although holding the leaders to such a close scoreline bodes well for their future hopes of staying in the division this season.



Afterwards, the Blues' manager Jose Mourinho bemoaned the support and noise (or lack of it) from the stands, likening the atmosphere to an "empty stadium" despite a bumper crowd of over 41,000 watching on. Even so, he will have been pleased with the result, as his side maintained their lead at the top of the Premiership at four points, as Southampton won 1-0 at Hull City through an early wonder goal by Victor Wanyama from 40 yards.

Perhaps more importantly, they kept Manchester City a good distance off their trailblazing early pace (who remained six points behind after defeating local rivals United on Sunday).

The Blues' continue their globetrotting across Europe with a Wednesday meeting with Slovenian side NK Maribor, looking to stretch their unbeaten start to the season to sixteen matches.