Chelsea were bailed out as an 88th minute winner from Cesc Fabregas helped Jose Mourinho’s men to a 1-0 win over QPR in the west-London derby at Loftus Road.
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The Spaniard’s effort was the Blues’ only shot on target throughout the entire game, as Chris Ramsey’s men looked much more dangerous and were only denied by an inspired performance from Thibaut Courtois.
Here’s how Chelsea’s players got on:
Thibaut Courtois- 8
The Belgian bounced back from being beaten from sixty yards last week to produce an excellent display. A second-half save from Matt Phillips was perhaps the one moment of real quality from a Chelsea player.
Branislav Ivanovic 6
Didn’t offer the centre-backs any help in dealing with QPR’s front two in the first-half, but helped to keep them quite quiet in the second 45.
Gary Cahill 7
Sometimes looked like he was in trouble with Charlie Austin, but it was probably made to look that way as he was forced to deal with John Terry’s mess. He is starting to show that he is getting back to his solid best.
John Terry 6
The skipper appeared to have a torrid time dealing with Bobby Zamora in the first-half, and was saved by Cahill on more than one occasion.
Cesar Azpilicueta 5
Matt Phillips was made to look one of the best players on the pitch today, and that is largely because the Spaniard seemed incapable of dealing with him. It would have been his fault should Zamora have converted an excellent cross from Phillips during the second-half.
Ramires 5
Had a very quiet game, and provided very little in the midfield battle – which he was probably included in expectation of – so it was no surprise to see him hauled off early in the second-half.
Nemanja Matic 6
Looked shaky early on, misplacing plenty of passes – some did well to stay in the ground. But he raised his game in the second-half which allowed his teammates to have a bit more freedom.
Willian 5
Offered practically nothing in terms of creativity, so the only surprise was that it took so long for him to be withdrawn.
Cesc Fabregas 7
Missed Chelsea’s best chance of the first half, when he headed over from a few yards. But took his goal superbly well, and didn’t let his injury stop him going in for challenges.
Eden Hazard 7
Had a very quiet first half, but did a fantastic job to react fastest to Rob Green’s shocking kick, and would subsequently lay the ball into the path of Fabregas for the only goal.
Didier Drogba 6
Was more useful in defence when QPR had set-pieces than he was as a striker. Unfortunately, his age has caught up with him and he failed to make any impact.
Subs
Oscar 6
Provided some much needed creativity when he came early on in the second-half. He also made what turned out to be an important decoy run for the goal.
Juan Cuadrado 5
Came on with ten minutes to go, but once again offered very little.
Kurt Zouma N/A
Brought on at the very end to seal the defence and confirm the victory.