Late Cesc Fabregas goal lifts Chelsea past QPR, increases EPL lead

Late Cesc Fabregas goal lifts Chelsea past QPR, increases EPL lead

LONDON (AP) — Cesc Fabregas scored an 88th-minute winner as Chelsea beat local rival Queens Park Rangers 1-0 to edge closer to the Premier League title on Sunday.

A miss-hit clearance by QPR goalkeeper Robert Green was picked up by Eden Hazard and the Belgium winger fed Fabregas — wearing a mask to protect his broken nose — for a low finish inside the post.

That was Chelsea's first shot on target in a lackluster performance at Loftus Road — but the leaders have made a habit recently of winning in spite of their scrappy performances.

Chelsea maintained its seven-point lead over second-place Arsenal and has a game in hand. Chelsea has seven games left.

Third-from-bottom QPR had the better chances, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois producing a fine reaction save from Matt Phillips.