Player Ratings – Queens Park Rangers 0 Chelsea 1 [VIDEO]

Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to a formidable seven points with a narrow 1-0 away win at Loftus Road.

Jose Mourinho’s team were far from their best for the majority of the match, lacking in focus and an attacking target up front. QPR were quite ready to capitalise on the visitors’ continual mistakes, but were denied what looked to be certain goals on a number of occasions by the hands of Thibaut Courtois.

Chelsea can also give thanks to opposition goalkeeper Robert Green, who’s late gaff of a clearance fell right to the boots of Eden Hazard, who provided the one moment of brilliance that was needed for the breakthrough, cutting the ball to the centre of the box to be finished off by an awaiting Cesc Fabregas.

Outside90 Senior Editor Hugh Schuitemaker takes a look at the individual performances on both sides of the pitch.

Queens Park Rangers

Robert Green – 5.5: Literally did not have to make a save before his howler in the closing minutes, skying a clearance which landed perfectly for the Belgian. His dejected expression upon the final whistle says enough.

Mauricio Isla – 7.5: Was an absolute terror for Hazard on the right and constantly looked to move forward, unfortunate that a goalkeeping error put a dent in what would have been a memorable outing.

Steven Caulker – 7: Also held his own inside the box, keeping Chelsea from any shots on target until the end and making six clearances.

Nedum Onuoha – 6: Service from the back was lacking and only won one of four tackles, but was able to keep Didier Drogba at bay.

Clint Hill – 6: Spent most of his time around the halfway line, a dangerous game to play against the likes of Willian, and only passed with 65% accuracy.

Matthew Phillips – 7.5: Arguably got the better of Nemanja Matic in the midfield battle and forced a brilliant save from Courtois in the 64^th minute. Also had two other shots on goal and sent in 12 crosses.

Joey Barton – 6: The 32-year-old worked hard over the pitch, but was included in the large number of players that repeatedly gave the ball away cheaply in the first-half.

Sandro – 6.5: Could have done more with his two shots on goal but posed tricky questions against the Chelsea defence.

Karl Henry – 6.5: Covered ground in every area and passed with an accuracy that was lacking from other.

Bobby Zamora – 7: Outworked the Chelsea defence, creating five chances, but could only manage one shot on goal.

Charlie Austin – 7.5: Was kept off the scoresheet despite taking five shots, two of which required some more Courtois heroics in the 44^th and 82^nd minutes.

Substitutes

Niko Kranjcar – 6: The intent to score was there but not enough time for the Croatian

Junior Hoilett – N/A: Did not see enough of the ball in his short time in the game.

Richard Dunne – N/A: Only on the pitch for seconds before the final whistle.

Chelsea

Thibaut Courtois – 8.5: No doubt the Belgian goalkeeper was the man of the match, making a number of spectacular reactionary saves to deny Phillips, Austin and Zamora.

Branislav Ivanovic – 6: Seemed a bit rattled by QPR’s physicality and speed, giving the ball away a number of times, but his forward movement is always tough to deal with.

Gary Cahill – 7.5: Remained composed in the face of pressure, winning nine of 10 aerial duels and making 15 clearances.

John Terry – 7: The skipper was relentlessly hounded by the QPR fans, yet fed the ball from the back with accuracy and records another clean sheet.

Cesar Azpilicueta – 7: Also now abounding with the confidence to overlap on the wing but tracks back with solid discipline.

Ramires – 6.5: A more imposing holding-midfielder may have been needed to begin this match, however, the Brazilian only ever needs a yard or two to shake things up.

Nemanja Matic – 6.5: An off-day for the usually pin-point accurate Serbian, losing the majority of his tackles and passing at under 75%

Willian – 7.5: The highlight of a Chelsea attack that was flat and frustrated for the first 45 minutes, displaying amazing speed on route toward the net.

Cesc Fabregas – 7: Surprisingly looked uncomfortable playing higher-up in the formation, but the introduction of Oscar breathed new life into the Spaniard’s game. Cooly slotted home Hazard’s cross to snatch victory for the Blues in the dying minutes, facemask and all.

Eden Hazard – 7: Subdued almost to insignificance for most of the proceedings, capitalised on Green’s misfire and took the ball to the edge of the field before cutting it back with a perfect setup for Fabregas.

Didier Drogba – 6: Chelsea clearly missed Diego Costa up-front as the Ivorian looked sluggish and far too easy to keep under control. Only managed one shot from outside the 18-yard box.

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Substitutes

Oscar – 7: The most important move of the game was Oscar’s 56th minute introduction, the fresh legs immediately adding new spice to the play in Chelsea’s final-third. A beautiful one-two with Hazard in the lead-up to the goal capped off the rescue mission for the young Brazilian.

Juan Cuadrado – N/A: Could not get enough time on the ball for anything notable.

Kurt Zouma – N/A: Brought on in the last moments to defend the slim lead.

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