Coming off of what could be called a frustrating draw at Manchester United last week, Chelsea FC were looking to bounce back this week against fellow Londoners and the recently promoted Queens Park Rangers. Diego Costa would return for this match as the man up to, and Filipe Luis would get another Premier League start at left back for the Blues as Cesar Azpilicueta was still suspended.
More from The Pride of London
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea player ratings: Abysmal, reckless, wasteful
- Bournemouth 0-0 Chelsea: 3 Blues talking points
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
As many matches go where one team is better due to sheer talent, Chelsea FC controlled the ball early and often. Though QPR would be up for the match against their neighbors and stood their ground during Chelsea’s early spell of dominance.
Bramislav Ivanovic almost got his name on the scoresheet in the 11th minute, after finding himself on the end of a Willian cross. The fullback found himself in an attacking area, as has become customary for him, and tried to beat the keeper off the volley, but his shot could only find the side netting. QPR would also come close to going ahead as a Charlie Austin header went right over the bar in the 14th minute.
At the half hour mark in the first half, Chelsea FC’s dominance finally paid off as the Blues were able to go up by a goal. The goal came thanks to some wonderful work from Cesc Fabregas who used Diego Costa to hold up play, picked up the ball 10 yards from the QPR box and went on rampaging run.
He found Oscar sneaking in to the right side of the box and laid the ball off to him and the Brazilian did not waste his chance with a beautiful one time finish. Oscar struck the ball with the outside of his right boot and it curved ever so slightly in to net off the far post. The more times you watch the goal the more brilliant it becomes.
More from Chelsea FC News
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 1 Blue Mauricio Pochettino should drop
- Bournemouth vs Chelsea: 3 Blues who must start
- Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Bournemouth: Palmer starts in 4-2-3-1
- Chelsea sporting directors finally reveal why they sign so many young players
- These 3 new signings may never get a game at Chelsea
As has been the story of the season so far for Chelsea FC they were unable to protect a one-nil lead. QPR found paydirt in the 60th minute as Leroy Fer’s deflected ball in the box found Charlie Austin who deftly and cheekily backheeled the ball in to the net past a flailing Thibaut Courtois. It truly was game on from that point.
Both sides probed and searched for the go ahead goal and QPR came close with a low drive from ex-Tottenham man Sandro but it was just wide of the far post. Chelsea would eventually find their breakthrough once again through the brilliance of Eden Hazard. The young Belgian was fouled inside the box by the clumsy Eduardo Vargas and the referee pointed to the spot. Hazard made no mistake about it and sent Rob Green with a cool finish to put the Blues ahead once and for all.
There was the odd scare as is expected when defending deep but Chelsea also had chances through Andre Schurrle but Rob Green kept it close. The final whistle blew and though it was not a vintage performance, the Blues finished the weekend still top of the table and with another three points under their belts.
Follow us on Twitter at @PrideOLondon
Like us on Facebook at The Pride of London