Chelsea welcomed rockbottom West London neighbours Queens Park Rangers to Stamford Bridge this evening hopeful of picking up three points and retaking third spot in the Premier League.
Blues manager Rafael Benitez appeared so confident that he rested the duo of Juan Mata and Eden Hazard but unfortunately the move didn't pay off as QPR stole the three points for one of the shocks of the season.
Former Chelsea winger Shaun Wright-Phillips scored the all-important goal 12 minutes from time to edge QPR to five points from safety.
Read how it all unfolded in our minute-by-minute live coverage below.
Evening all! Two sides who are in contrasting form face up this evening, but to hell with form! We're in a new year now and who knows how the sides will play in 2013.
Let's not hang about, the team news is just in!
CHELSEA XI: Turnbull; Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Bertrand; Luiz, Lampard; Moses, Oscar, Marin; Torres
QPR XI: Cesar; Onuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Fabio; Derry, Granero, M'bia; Taarabt, Hoilett; Mackie
Plenty of changes from Benitez then! Petr Cech is out injured in goal, so Ross Turnbull is between the sticks. At the back, Ryan Bertrand replaces Ashley Cole at left-back while the playmaking duo of Juan Mata and Eden Hazard have been replaced by Oscar and Marko Marin.
QPR, meanwhile, bring in Shaun Derry, Fabio da Silva, Esteban Granero and Junior Hoilett for Armand Traore, Samba Diakite, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Djibril Cisse.
Here are the two substitute benches this evening:
CHELSEA: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Piazon
QPR: Green, Ferdinand, Park, Cisse, Wright-Phillips, Dyer, Faurlin
CHELSEA: Hilario, Cole, Ferreira, Ramires, Mata, Hazard, Piazon
QPR: Green, Ferdinand, Park, Cisse, Wright-Phillips, Dyer, Faurlin
It certainly is a big surprise to see Mata and Hazard on the Chelsea bench but maybe Benitez thought this would be the perfect game to give them a rest - home to bottom of the league. I know there'll be plenty of aggrieved fantasy football managers out there!
It's also interesting to see that Redknapp has dropped Cisse from his frontline. At the weekend Redknapp spoke of 'damage limitation' after his side went 3-0 down to Liverpool and maybe he's just trying to let in as few goals as possible against a Chelsea side whose last home match ended in a spanking for Villa.
As well as tonight's match at Stamford Bridge, there are two other top-flight games at Anfield and St James' Park. To follow live commentary of Liverpool vs. Sunderland with Matt Law, click here. Or alternatively, follow the blue half of Merseyside as Everton take on Sunderland's biggest rivals Newcastle on Tyneside by clicking here to join Mark Langshaw.
Time for a prediction and I'm going to try to call all three games. Despite the fact that some big Chelsea names have been rested, I still expect the Blues to win through and I'm plumping for 3-1. At Anfield I expect Liverpool to win by the same scoreline while Newcastle vs. Everton has 1-1 written all over it. Right?
If you look at our Premier League overview by clicking here, you can see that Chelsea are seven points shy of Manchester City in second but do have two games in hand, so could cut that gap to just a single point. Benitez's side are also second in the form table and are the only side to have won their last four on the bounce.
It's not looking so rosy for QPR as, after picking up their first win of the season, they've lost their last three, bringing Harry's unbeaten start as manager to an abrupt halt. They'll have to pull something out of the bag to even leave with a point tonight, you feel.
I'm really looking forward to seeing the boy Oscar tonight. He has been touted as having the potential to be one of the world's best but it hasn't quite clicked so far since his big-money move to the Bridge in the summer. Perhaps if Hazard hadn't come too then he would have seen more game time. Anyway, the young Brazilian has a perfect opportunity to showcase his playmaking ability this evening.
If Chelsea score more than once tonight then surely QPR haven't got a hope as they have never scored more than once in their 11 Premier League games against the Blues. Gulp.
Rangers have also not won a league game at the Bridge since 1983.
Here's an interesting coincidence though, talkSPORT's Sam Matterface tells us on Twitter: "Sunderland last beat Liverpool at Anfield in 1983, the same year QPR last beat Chelsea at the Bridge... Nah it couldn't happen could it ?!?" Very unlikely!
Just under 10 minutes until the off then. If QPR fail to pick up a point tonight then they'll still be a mighty eight points adrift of the safety of 17th place.
Here come the two XIs out of the tunnel and onto the pitch. Chelsea will be wearing their customary blue tops and shorts and white socks while Rangers are in their changed strip of all-red.
KICKOFF Chelsea get us underway.
It looks like Taarabt will start through the middle for QPR, with Hoilett on the left and Mackie right.
Hoilett has his first run at young Chelsea right-back Azpilicueta and he seems to be tripped when trying to nip past but the referee, who this evening is Lee Mason, isn't interested.
YELLOW! Marin, who is making his first Premier League start, should be gone. The German takes a heavy touch and raises his studs when challenging M'Bia, going well over the ball into the midfielder's shins. Horrible tackle and he's lucky to still be on the pitch.
The replays just get worse and worse. Surely the only reason that the German wasn't sent off is because it's so early in the game. Imagine how different the game could have been if Chelsea had had to play 86 mins a man light.
The Chelsea playmaking trio of Moses, Oscar and Marin line up in that order from left to right behind Torres.
The Blues are seeing plenty of the ball but are yet to create a chance of note.
Onuoha carelessly gives the ball straight to Oscar but the Brazilian can't find Torres and the chance to break is gone.
"Wheeey!" cheer the Chelsea crowd as Taarabt tries an outrageous chip at goal that doesn't come off after some very tidy footwork to skip past Luiz.
SHOT! The first meaningful shot of the game comes from Luiz. Moses's cross is deflected out to the Brazilian but he volleys it into the turf and Cesar sees it over the bar.
It seems that the Marin challenge from earlier really was out of the blue. German journalist Rafael Honigstein tweets: "Benitez can really use the "he's not that type of player" line in the presser. First time I've ever seen Marin tackle, period."
INJURY! Hoilett's game is up as he limps towards the touchline. Former Chelsea man Shaun Wright-Phillips will take his place. Looks like it could be a tweaked hamstring for Hoilett.
Goal at St James' and Newcastle have gone ahead very early in the 8pm kickoff. They may have lost Demba Ba to Chelsea but Papiss Cisse is deputising well as he notches the opener.
Another stoppage as Oscar crumbles into a heap following a collision of heads with his teammate and fellow Brazilian Luiz. The youngster is OK to continue though.
Goal at Anfield! Liverpool take the lead through Raheem Sterling.
Torres's pass fortunately bounces straight into the path of Oscar off Derry. The Brazilian goes for the spectacular from 30 yards but drags his shot way wide. Waste.
Another chance for Chelsea to create a shot on goal but Marin's cutback falls straight between Oscar and Lampard.
More neat passing from the Blues results in a corner and the set piece reaches Torres but it hits the Spaniard's shin and goes out for a goal kick.
SHOT! First effort of the game for the visitors as Wright-Phillips excellently takes the ball in his stride but shoots far too early and Turnbull sees it wide.
Second at Anfield and Luis Suarez has doubled Liverpool's lead against Sunderland.
Apologies, there may have been a slight problem with that last update. A manual refresh will sort it right out.
As we reach the half-hour mark there really has been very little to report. Hoilett has had to go off injured for QPR while Chelsea's Marin should have been sent off. That's really about it.
CHANCE! Marin steals the ball in midfield and squares to Oscar who cuts inside onto his right and looks for the far corner with a curler, but Hill stoops to head it clear.
Wright-Phillips has a bit of space as Fabio takes Azpilicueta away on the overlap but the winger screws his shot well wide. Still waiting for some quality at the Bridge.
Granero looks for Mackie over the top but the linesman's flag goes up. Replays show that may have been the incorrect call. Very close.
Much better from Chelsea. Oscar finds Marin on the left with a delightful outside-of-the-boot pass and the German clips it to the back post where Moses fouls Hill from behind.
QPR give Ivanovic plenty of room 30 yards out and the Serbian decides to go for it. He's not known for his long shots and that's why. Poor effort.
Dear, dear me. When is this game going to take off? Luiz is the latest to waste the ball by overhitting his pass by about 30 yards. The Chelsea subs are already warming up. Perhaps changes at half time.
It gets worse! Ivanovic again shoots and the ball ends up nearer the corner flag. Inspiring half-time team talks please Rafael and Harry!
SAVE! Oscar turns and hits from 20 yards and his low shot takes a slight deflection at the last moment, meaning that Cesar has to keep it out with his toes. The loose ball comes to Moses but he can't test the Brazilian, blazing over.
Two minutes added on at the end of the first half.
Lampard tries to bring some sparkle just before the interval but his dinked effort was never worrying Cesar.
HALF-TIME: Chelsea 0-0 QPR
First 45 summary: Chelsea dominate the ball, but can't create chances against a QPR side clearly only interested in a point. Marin should have been sent off for horror lunge on M'Bia and Hoilett has had to go off injured. That is it. Really. Half-time report here.
The only positive is that things can only get better in the second half. SURELY?!
It's also half time at Anfield and Liverpool are looking good at 2-0. The goals came from Sterling and Suarez and you can read Jack Prescott's summary of the opening 45 by clicking here.
Newcastle have hit the post since taking the lead but Everton have had the better of the play at St James' Park. Keep up with Mark's coverage here.
Goal for Everton! The Toffees equalise just before half-time thanks to Leighton Baines's screamer of a free kick. Worth a look if you get the chance!
KICKOFF QPR get the second half underway.
CHANCE! Much better tempo to Chelsea early on in the second and Moses has just spurned the chance of the match. Marin beats his man and squares for the winger but his touch from five yards hasn't got enough on it and the ball somehow rolls to safety.
Here come Chelsea! Clever Cryuff turn from Oscar earns the Brazilian a yard of space and he lays in Lampard but his shot is blocked at the last moment.
CLIPS THE BAR! Marin's corner is met by Ivanovic but he can't quite keep the header down as it flicks off the top of the crossbar.
SAVE! It's all Chelsea now! Oscar and Bertrand work together well down the left before the former's cross is poked out to Luiz. His shot is blocked but falls to the path of Torres and all the Spaniard has to do is keep it low but he lashes it straight at Cesar who stands up well to push away.
Liverpool are now 3-0 up against Sunderland as that man Suarez secures his second successive brace.
SHOT! First meaningful effort from QPR through Granero. Taarabt does well to find the Spaniard and he skips past Lampard before curling one that Turnbull hangs on to well.
First Chelsea change sees Marin replaced by Hazard. In all honesty, the German should have been leaving the pitch much, much earlier after that rash lunge on M'Bia in just the fourth minute.
CHANCES! Almost an opening for Mackie! Taarabt slips in the Scotsman and he looks to be through on goal but is denied a shot by Cahill's last-ditch challenge. From the resulting corner, Derry is left free at the back post but he heads straight into Turnbull's palms.
Wonderful skill from Oscar as he nutmegs Derry down the right before crossing for Torres but he can't quite get in front of his man. Benitez will surely bring on Mata soon?
Fine hit from Moses after a backheel from Hazard but it didn't have quite enough curl.
DISALLOWED! Lampard finishes well low down but the flag had gone up as Moses prodded the ball his way. Correct decision.
Horribly theatrical dive from Azpilicueta wins Chelsea a free kick 25 yards out, right of goal. Hazard is the man to take it but that's overhit. Would've been perfect for Mata.
While we wait for Mata to be introduced, is it time for Harry to bring on Cisse for some more electricity up front for the visitors?
Oscar's first touch lets him down for once and he can only spoon the ball up for Cesar as he tried to cross on the stretch. Mata to be introduced imminently.
The Spaniard comes on for Moses and he's got 15 minutes plus stoppage time to win the game for Chelsea.
Goal at St James' and it looks as if Newcastle's woes could be continuing as Victor Anichebe completes the Everton turnaround to put the Toffees 2-1 up.
Ramires will be Benitez's final sub and I'd expect him to replace either Lampard or Oscar.
GOAL! Chelsea 0-1 QPR (Wright-Phillips)
Yes, the text below is right. QPR take the lead through former Blue Wright-Phillips. A corner is cleared and Taarabt superbly lays it off to the winger on the volley and he then drills it low into the far corner from just outside the box. A rare moment of quality in what has been a drab game.
Benitez still makes that change and it's Lampard who goes off for Ramires.
I still can't believe that QPR are winning this. Harry gestures on the touchline to his players, telling them to slow and calm it down. Can they hang on for what would be a remarkable result?
Chelsea have a free kick right on the edge of the area, right in the centre. Clint Hill is booked for the tackle on Ivanovic.
Every QPR player is in the wall and that's exactly where Luiz hits it. Huge chance wasted. A Mata clip over the wall would've been better, surely?
Taarabt has been superb at times tonight and the Moroccan shows more fleet of foot to escape Luiz before turning and winning the free kick off Ramires in the centre. More time eaten up.
Corner to Chelsea...
CHANCE! Mata's set piece is easily cleared by Onuoha but the Spaniard is given the ball again and this time his centre is met by Ivanovic. The Serbian gets a bit too much on his flick though and it flies over the bar.
Harry makes a change and it's Park Ji-Sung who comes on for Granero. Three minutes of added time are indicated.
Another QPR sub and it's the ingenious Taarabt who jogs off leisurely. Kieron Dyer his replacement.
Luiz lets fly with his left and strikes it well but Cesar sees it over the bar.
FULL-TIME: Chelsea 0-1 QPR
What a crazy win for the Premier League's bottom side. One of the dullest games of the season turned into arguably the upset of the season because of Wright-Phillips's excellent finish.
That goal from Wright-Phillips was his first in the Premier League for 969 days! 969!
Three points for Harry's men doesn't take them off bottom spot but it does mean they are now level on points with Reading on 13. They're now just five points adrift of safety. How much better than eight does that sound?
In the other 7.45 kickoff, Liverpool eased to a 3-0 win over Sunderland. Click here for the match report on that one.
That's about all from me tonight, thanks for joining Sports Mole. If you're joining us late then click here for the concise match report packed with full-size images from the match.
Written by
Pascal Lemesre
Pascal Lemesre
