Chelsea remains atop the Premier League table after an Eden Hazard penalty helped them fend off pesky Queens Park Rangers in a 2-1 decision at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
Oscar also scored for the Blues, who have 26 points, while Charlie Austin equalized in the second half for QPR. The R’s remain second-last in the league with seven points.
Willian’s 11th minute cross to Ivanovic found the defender at close range, but the shot went off the outside of the net. It remained scoreless.
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Chelsea broke through in the 32nd minute, when Cesc Fabregas dribbled atop the 18 before sliding a pass to Oscar. The Brazilian made no doubt with an inside-out shot to give the Blues a 1-0 lead.
Though the Blues continued to dominate, it was QPR that found its way to the back of the goal next, with Charlie Austin flicking a mishit Leroy Fer shot with the bottom of his foot, sending the ball past Thibaut Courtois in the 62nd minute for his third goal in two games.
And a knuckling shot from Sandro nearly gave QPR a lead moments later, but an Oscar counterattack led to a foul from Steven Caulker just outside the 18 from the center of the pitch.
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Oscar presided over the chance, which was deflected just wide.
Yet Chelsea got a golden chance in the 75th minute, as Eduardo Vargas got a boot on Eden Hazard’s foot before the latter could shoot. Hazard wouldn’t miss from the penalty spot, and Chelsea was back up.
That would do it for the Blues, who deserved the points.
Lineups
Chelsea: Courtois; Ivanovic, Cahill, Terry, Filipe Luis; Matic, Fabregas; Willian (Drogba, 64'), Oscar, Hazard (Ramires, 90+3'); Diego Costa (Schurrle, 78')
Goal: Oscar (32'), Hazard (75')
QPR: Green, Isla, Caulker, Dunne, Suk-Young, Hoilett (Zamora, 60'), Sandro, Henry, Fer (Traore, 84'), Austin, Vargas
Goal: Austin (62')