Action & reaction: Hiddink explains substitution, QPR boss angry, Bees ‘in trouble’, Swift axed
A recap of the action during a weekend when none of the west London sides won. Chelsea, Fulham and QPR all drew, while Brentford’s home defeat by Blackburn leaves them looking over their shoulders.
Action: A late penalty from Cesc Fabregas prevented a first league defeat for Guus Hiddink and slowed West Ham’s hunt for a Champions League place.
Reaction: Afterwards, Blues boss Hiddink insisted a European place was still not beyond Chelsea and believes they should embrace a possible Europa League campaign.
He also explained why he brought on Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and not Alexandre Pato, to try and change the game.
Meanwhile, West Ham boss Slaven Bilic was furious at the penalty award, insisting contact was made outside the box.
Blues’ man of the match: Fabregas was the star performer with his two goals – click here to see how we rated the players.
Action: Marcus Bettinelli returned for Fulham and helped them pick up a point in their battle against relegation.
Action: Shane Duffy scored a late winner for 10-man Blackburn and condemned struggling Brentford to fourth straight Championship defeat.
Reaction: Bees boss Dean Smith admitted his side are “in trouble” at the wrong end of the table and said his players were “fragile”.
He also confirmed that on-loan Chelsea midfielder John Swift was dropped from the matchday squad after causing anger with a social media post.
Action: An injury-time equaliser denied QPR a third consecutive victory – and what would have been the club’s first win at Deepdale since 1980.
Reaction: Rangers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink was furious that Preston’s Tom Clarke was not sent off before the home side eventually equalised.
R’s man of the match: Junior Hoilett was the stand-out performer, but there were many notable displays. Click here to see how we think the QPR players fared.
