Chelsea stays in first

LONDON >> Eden Hazard converted a second-half penalty as Chelsea beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Saturday to remain four points clear at the top of the Premier League.

Arsenal and Southampton also won, but Liverpool’s inconsistent start to the season continued with an away loss to Newcastle.

Oscar put Jo se Mourinho’s Chelsea side ahead on 32 minutes with a sublime finish across the goal, but Charlie Austin hauled QPR level with a clever back-heeled flick.

Hazard was then fouled by Eduardo Vargas, and the Belgium international won the game from the penalty spot.

But Chelsea manager Mourinho was not impressed with the performance from his team.

“I don’t think we played a very complete game like we normally do,” Mourinho said. “We had a fantastic reaction at 1-1 but if we play better, we win the game with different numbers. They had very good defensive organization.”

QPR manager Harry Redknapp felt aggrieved at the decision to award Chelsea a penalty, and praised the effort from his team at Stamford Bridge.