QPR vs. Chelsea: Winners and Losers from West London Derby
Chelsea took one step closer to the Premier League title on Sunday by edging out Queens Park Rangers 1-0 at Loftus Road.
A hard-fought battle looked destined to end goalless, but Cesc Fabregas slid home a winner in the 88th minute, scoring with the Blues' first shot on target.
"They limited our creation—it was a typical 0-0. I feel sorry for them," Jose Mourinho admitted after the match, per Goal's Liam Twomey. However, he'll be looking at the table and smiling. The gap between themselves and second-placed Arsenal is back to seven points, and they still have a game in hand.
Here, B/R picks its winners and losers from the game.
Loser: Didier Drogba, Chelsea
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With Loic Remy ruled out of the game due to a muscular injury, per Goal's Liam Twomey, it was up to Didier Drogba to carry the torch in the absence of Diego Costa. It didn't go well.
He was key to defending set pieces, clearing multiple corners and Clint Hill long throws at the near post, but he offered nothing going forward. Chelsea struggled to adjust to playing with a slower, hulking figure.
Jose Mourinho will be very reluctant to play him again so soon with so much still on the line.
Winner: Joey Barton, Who Shone in the Middle
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There were a number of strong Queens Park Rangers performances at Loftus Road on Sunday, but we're singling out Joey Barton as the biggest winner. Matt Phillips looked dangerous on the right and Karl Henry was surprisingly solid on the left, but Barton looked to be in a determined and destructive mood in the most important area of the pitch.
He set the aggressive, snappy tone for QPR as they dragged Chelsea down to their level, making it a battle in the centre of the park and stopping them from creating. He led by example and fittingly wore the captain's armband. All of the home side's better chances created from long balls were generally from him, too.
Loser: Cesar Azpilicueta, Who Was Torched All Afternoon
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Cesar Azpilicueta, so often a sturdy, assured presence at left-back, really struggled on Sunday afternoon. Matt Phillips is in good form and had the confidence to attack him early, and most of Queens Park Rangers' good work came down his side.
The Spaniard struggled one against one and found it difficult to stop Phillips from crossing, shooting and drifting inside. The former Blackpool man may be catching fire at the right time, but this goes down as a poor performance by one of Chelsea's most consistent players.
Winner: Thibaut Courtois, Who Saved Chelsea's Bacon (again)
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Perhaps intent on making amends for his gaffe on Charlie Adam's long shot the last time out, Thibaut Courtois was once again in inspired form on Sunday. How many times has he been crucial to a three-point haul this season?
He made several excellent stops to deny Matt Phillips and Charlie Austin, and it was Queens Park Rangers who carved out the most chances, meaning the Belgian was the 'keeper under the most pressure. He responded, as always, by palming absolutely everything clear.
Loser: Rob Green, Whose Error Led to Chelsea's Goal
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Rob Green has been solid this season despite his defensive line often collapsing, and he was once again assured in both claiming crosses and stopping shots on Sunday.
But in the 88th minute, he committed a cardinal sin, meekly kicking a ball out, which the Chelsea midfield intercepted. It was fed to Eden Hazard, who in turn set Cesc Fabregas up on the edge of the box to tuck a low finish home.
All that good work down the drain, and Green looked disconsolate after the match.
"That is harsh on QPR," tweeted Football Radar's Jack Rathborn. "Chelsea have been poor, but both with Redknapp and Ramsey, R's have switched off late in games, poor."
