London – Cesc Fabregas scored an 88th-minute winner as Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with an unconvincing 1-0 win against a spirited Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road on Sunday.
Spain international Fabregas, criticised for his drop in form since Christmas, burst into the box before cooly dispatching Eden Hazard’s lay-off to seal an undeserved victory in the west London derby.
QPR, embroiled in relegation battle, were the more dangerous team throughout and created a number of chances but were thwarted by visiting goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.
Chelsea dominated possession but, in the absence of injured forwards Diego Costa and Loic Remy, failed to register a shot on target before Fabregas’s intervention.
Chelsea have 73 points from 31 games but have a game in hand of second-placed Arsenal, whom they play on April 26.
QPR remain 18th, two points behind Hull City – the side immediately above the relegation zone.
Third-placed Manchester United host rivals Man City, in fourth, in the day’s late match. – Reuters