QPR 0 Chelsea 1 player ratings: Was maked man Cesc Fabregas the man of the match?

A masked Cesc Fabregas broke the deadlock late on

(GETTY IMAGES)

Chelsea remain top of the Premier League by seven points after they beat QPR 1-0.

Before Sunday’s game, the Blues had only managed to beat their west London rivals once in their six league encounters.

Chris Ramsey deserves praise for an exceptional defensive display which prevented Chelsea’s most effective attacking players having any joy in front of goal until the 88th minute when Chelsea took the lead through Cesc Fabregas.

Ramsey’s side remain 18th but and are two points behind Hull City who have played one game less.

Other than Willian’s cross that nearly beat Rob Green at his near post, Jose Mourinho’s men failed to get past Nedum Onuoha and Steven Caulker in defence in the first half.

But who was the man of the match at Loftus Road? Scroll through our gallery below to find out:

Didier Drogba looked stifled, Eden Hazard switched positions to find space and Willian was dispossessed on numerous occasions by the usually quite lethargic Clint Hill.

QPR also had their chances to take the lead. Shortly before half-time, Charlie Austin, who has scored 17 goals this season, powerfully struck from outside the Chelsea penalty area but Thibaut Courtois was equal to it.

Winger Matt Phillips should have taken the lead midway into the second half when he turned Nemanja Matic but shot directly at Courtois.

Chelsea threatened in the final ten minutes after bringing on Juan Cuadrado for Willian.

But it was Fabregas who would send fans of the Blues home happy.

After exquisite work by Hazard, Fabregas took one touch and dispatched a carefully-placed shot behind Green's net.