LONDON: Chelsea went seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table with seven games to play after Cesc Fabregas's late goal sealed a 1-0 win away to strugglers Queens Park Rangers on Sunday.
It seemed Jose Mourinho's side would have to settle for a draw at Loftus Road in this clash between the two west London clubs at Loftus Road.
But after Chelsea goalkeeper Thibault Courtois had made a couple of fine saves, Fabregas broke the deadlock two minutes from time with the visitors' only shot on target of the whole match.
From a poor clearance by QPR goalkeeper Robert Green, Eden Hazard and Oscar worked the ball down the left before Spain midfielder and former Arsenal favourite Fabregas side-footed the ball in from 16 yards.
Victory left Chelsea seven points in front of second-placed Arsenal, with QPR remaining in the relegation zone.
"It is an important step," Chelsea manager Mourinho told Sky Sports.
"During the season you always have these moments where you lose and win points at end of the game. We lost points at the end at Old Trafford and won points in the last few minutes today."
The Portuguese boss added: "It is one step closer (to the title). We need three wins and two draws, when we have one match more to play than the other teams. Our situation is good. Pure mathematics. We need 11 points."
Meanwhile Mourinho refused to condemn QPR fans who showered his players with a variety of objects thrown from the stands after Chelsea scored their goal.
Branislav Ivanovic grabbed his neck in pain after being struck while Nemanja Matic was also targeted as coins, a plastic bottle and a cigarette lighter flew towards the pitch.
Mourinho did his best to play down the incident that marked a bitter end to the west London derby.
"The game was correct in the pitch and correct in the stands, and hopefully correct outside. It is not easy in an emotional game like that," Mourinho said.
"If, at the end of the game, someone threw a pound coin, put it in your pocket. If someone threw a chocolate, eat it. It is no problem. Everybody needs a pound!"
But QPR manager Chris Ramsey added: "We don't want objects thrown on the pitch. These rivalries can sometimes go too far."
Meanwhile QPR midfielder Joey Barton made no attempt to hide the Hoops' disappointment after a loss that kept them two points from safety.
"We're devastated. We definitely deserved at least a point," Barton said. "If we play like that for the rest of the games we should be safe." -- AFP