Cesc Fabregas scored an 88th minute winner as Chelsea extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with an unconvincing 1-0 win against a spirited Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Spain international Fabregas, criticised for his drop in form since Christmas, burst into the box before cooly dispatching Eden Hazard's lay-off to seal an undeserved victory in the west London derby.

QPR, embroiled in relegation battle, were the more dangerous team throughout and created a number of chances but were thwarted by visiting goalkeeper Thibault Courtois.

Chelsea dominated possession but, in the absence of injured forwards Diego Costa and Loic Remy, failed to register a shot on target before Fabregas's intervention.

Chelsea have 73 points from 31 games but have a game in hand of second-placed Arsenal, whom they play on April 26.

QPR remain 18th, two points behind Hull City -- the side immediately above the relegation zone.

Third-placed Manchester United host rivals Man City, in fourth, in the day's late match.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.