Fab goal masks Chelsea struggles

QPR 0 CHELSEA 1: The league table suggests Chelsea are moving towards the Premier League at a gentle canter but there was nothing serene about their progress as they moved seven points clear at Loftus Road.

Faced with a QPR side that has drawn renewed belief in its ability to climb out of the bottom three, Jose Mourinho’s side were forced to scrap, chase and harry before finally clinching victory through Cesc Fabregas’ 87th minute winner.

It was hardly a performance of champions — and nor was Rangers’ showing that of a side tumbling meekly back into the Championship — but it was certainly the kind of display that delivers Premier League titles.