Mourinho: It's another important step towards the title

The Chelsea manager hailed his side's ability to control proceedings during their narrow 1-0 victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, and realises its importance

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho has hailed his side's "very important step" towards the Premier League title after they struck late to see off Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road.

Cesc Fabregas fired home three minutes from time with the Blues' first shot on target against Chris Ramsey's determined side, who were also praised by Mourinho for their dogged defensive work.

The victrory moves Mourinho's side seven points clear of second-placed Arsenal and the Portuguese realises the importance of their efforts.

"Our situation was positive, one point would be one less point we need to secure the title," he told Sky Sports. "But the reality is that three points is always three points, is one less match that we need to win so it’s a very important step in a very difficult match.

"I think our best quality was to control the game very, very well and to stop our opponent to score because they are a team who can score goals, is scoring goals, has dangerous attacking players and a dangerous way to play, very direct for their two strikers.

"I think it was our best quality in the game was exactly that, to keep calm and to try always to play against a team that was very well organised defensively, very well organised defensively... I think they did fantastic work to try to keep a clean sheet.

"During the season you have always these moments where you lose points, you win points in the end of the game. We lost points at Old Trafford in the last seconds of the game, we won two points today in the last few minutes."