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Chelsea moved an inch closer to their first Premier League title since 2010 as they edged past relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in a tightly contested encounter at the Loftus Road.The visitors were abstained by a resilient Hoops for most of the game and just when the match was heading for a draw, Cesc Fabregas saved his side the blushes with a close range finish, 2 minutes from time.Victory means Chelsea now extend their lead at the top to 7 points with a game in hand. Here are the 5 talking points from the match.
#1 Chelsea labour to a lacklustre win
The Premier League leaders have gone slightly off the boil in the recent weeks and have been winning very narrowly. This game against QPR, a side reeling 18th in the table, came as a chance for them to restore some confidence by winning big. But the way things panned out, wasn’t satisfactory.
It never looked as if Chelsea were up against one of the lowest ranked teams in the league. Despite having most of the first team members, the visitors had a hard time in getting the better of the sturdy home team and struggled to find a breakthrough.
Although they ultimately walked away with their objective achieved, it was expected of them to do in a much better way and more effortlessly. Chelsea may have broadened their gap at the top of the charts, but this wasn’t a performance anticipated from them.
#2 Absentees took the gloss away from Chelseaa attack
Chelsea were hit by some injury crisis this week as their main marksman Diego Costa sustained a hamstring injury during their game against Stoke City and he was later followed in the treatment room by his counterpart Loic Remy, who picked up a muscle injury in training. With 2 first choice strikers out, Mourinho made way for his 3rd choice, Didier Drogba to lead the line and the Ivorian veteran failed to inspire.
Drogba, who has now gone 17 appearances for the Blues without a goal, offered absolutely nothing going forward. He barely threatened the QPR defence and was largely anonymous in the final third throughout.
Although the 36-year old contributed defensively when he cleared the corner kicks and defended set-pieces, his attacking prowess was nowhere to be seen. Also, his lack of pace allowed the home side to press higher up and compress the play.
With so much still at stakes, Mourinho would think twice before playing the Chelsea stalwart in the starting lineup again.
#3 Bartons midfield hegemony represses Chelsea
The QPR side, as a whole, worked in great cohesion to hold Chelsea back, but their dynamic midfielder Joey Barton was their brightest spot. The 32-year old was a commanding figure at the centre of the park, totally dominating the battle of the midfield.
Barton set the hostile and bestriding tone for The Rs as his authoritative display in the pivot pegged Chelsea back and also impeded them from creating chances, thereby making it a midfield contest. He drove his team forward at every opportunity and most of their creativity thoroughly stemmed from him.
Barton was an inspirational figure for his side and executed his captaincy with elan.
#4 A rare off day for Azpilicueta
Chelsea left-back Cesar Azpilicueta, for all his robust and assuring presence at the back, is widely regarded as one of the best left-backs in the Premier League currently. But his performance this evening, did little to testify that.
Mostly unerring on any given day, the Spaniard today looked out of sorts and cut a disappointing figure for the visiting team. He struggled in one-on-one situations and was upstaged by an in-form Matt Philipps. The QPR midfielder gave him a harrowing time, knocking the daylights out of him with his trickery.
Azapilicueta was helpless in dealing with his crosses, dribbles and his darting runs forward. This was one of the most dreadful performances we’ve seen from him in Chelsea colours since a longtime and something which he would like to forget as quick as possible.
#5 Courtois secures all 3 points
After his faux pas last week that led to Charlie Adam’s long range wonder goal, Thibaut Courtois was once again in good shape for the Blues and put up a sublime performance that got his team out of the tight spot.
QPR created most of the chances in the game but their every effort at goal ran into a stonewall as the towering Belgian stood tall, making one vital save after another. Matt Philipps and Charlie Austin were a constant threat going forward but failed to beat the former Atletico Madrid man as he pulled off some excellent saves to deny them on multiple occasions.
Courtois patrolled his area with great panache and was once again the man to rescue his team from the blushes.
