Chelsea 2 QPR 1
Jose Mourinho was critical of his team’s performance as Eden Hazard’s penalty earned Chelsea a laboured victory against QPR which sends them nine points clear of leaders Manchester City.
Oscar’s sublime outside of the boot finish, the Brazilian’s fourth goal of the season, gave Chelsea a deserved lead in the West London derby.
Charlie Austin back-heeled Leroy Fer’s shot into the goal for QPR’s equaliser before Hazard’s penalty restored Chelsea’s lead and ensured their unbeaten run continues.
But Mourinho admitted he did not enjoy the match and the Portuguese thought it was the first time that Chelsea have not played well in the Premier League this season.
“I don’t think we played a good game, obviously QPR came for a point and they came in a very well organised team by a defensive point of view but we didn’t play well consistently,” he said.
“I enjoyed the result, obviously I think the team that had the chances and the ball and the dominancy deserves to win so no doubt that we deserve to win but I think it was not a good performance from us.”
Chelsea went into half-time with a one goal advantage as Cesc Fabregas set up Oscar with his ninth assist in ten league games but QPR equalised in the 62nd minute through Austin.
Chelsea were able to grind out the result when Hazard converted a penalty after being fouled in the box by Eduardo Vargas.
The win puts the Blues nine points ahead of title rivals Manchester City, who play in the Manchester derby on Sunday but Mourinho refuses to get carried away with the point gap.
“They have one match to play if they win that they reduce it to six but even six, seven, eight or nine for me at this stage, first days of November, it’s too early,” he said.
