Red cards derail Chelsea

CHELSEA’S attempt to stay close on the heels of leaders Manchester City was spectacularly derailed when the first-half dismissals of Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa killed off any hopes they had of claiming three points from an explosive west London derby yesterday.

Heidur Helguson’s ninth-minute penalty ultimately divided the two teams and gave QPR a first home win since their return to the top flight this season.

The game was shaped, however, by the two red cards that meant Andre Villas-Boas’s side were forced to play with nine men for 49 minutes.