Half-Time Report: Queens Park Rangers holding Chelsea to goalless draw

Queens Park Rangers are holding Chelsea to a goalless draw in this afternoon's Premier League clash at Loftus Road.

© Getty Images

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.

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 Cesc 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.