A Cesc Fabregas goal three minutes from time gives Chelsea a 1-0 win away at Queens Park Rangers in Sunday afternoon's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

A Cesc Fabregas goal three minutes from time has given Chelsea a last-gasp 1-0 win away at Queens Park Rangers in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

The first chance of the game fell to Charlie Austin, whose ambitious first-time effort in the fourth minute looped harmlessly into Thibaut Courtois's hands.

Chelsea's Spanish midfielder Cesc Fabregas celebrates with Chelsea's Serbian defender Branislav Ivanovic after scoring their goal during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea at Loftus Road Stadium in London on © Getty Images

Just four minutes later Chelsea came within a whisker of unintentionally breaking the deadlock when Willian's cross from the right flank cannoned off the QPR post.

The Blues came close again just after the quarter-hour mark as Fabregas's low free kick from the left found an onrushing Nemanja Matic, but the Serbian's effort was blocked by Joey Barton.

QPR then ventured forward in the 31st minute and saw Bobby Zamora's incisive pass to Austin snuffed out by Gary Cahill, before the visitors countered through Ramires, who fired wide.

The latter stages of the first half saw a scuffle between Austin and John Terry followed by a handful of chances by both teams, but neither could break the deadlock come the half-time whistle.

Chelsea's Ivorian striker Didier Drogba vies with Queens Park Rangers' English defender Steven Caulker during the English Premier League football match between Queens Park Rangers and Chelsea at Loftus Road Stadium in London on April 12, 2015 © Getty Images

Chris Ramsey's charges were once again the pacesetters after the restart as Matty Phillips's cross from the right wing was just a touch too heavy for Zamora.

Austin and Terry then had to be separated in the 50th minute as tempers risked boiling over, before Didier Drogba lashed an effort over the bar moments later.

Chelsea enjoyed a bright spell on the hour but were nearly caught out by the hosts when Phillips's effort on the turn was skilfully kept out by Courtois.

Just when it seemed like QPR could hold onto a draw against the Premier League leaders, they were cruelly undone with three minutes to go.

Eden Hazard and Oscar combined to get the ball into the box, where the onrushing Fabregas sidefooted the ball home from 16 yards out to win the game for Chelsea and leave the hosts heartbroken.