Wednesday 28 January 2015 15:31, UK
After making headlines against Liverpool, we look at some of the flashpoints surrounding Diego Costa since his arrival in English football...
Costa v Tim Howard
Both the good and bad of Costa were on show when Chelsea travelled to take on Everton in August. The striker scored twice but was also booked and caught up in an altercation with Everton goalkeeper Tim Howard.
The striker had already been warned for his conduct when receiving a booking for clashing with Seamus Coleman on 55 minutes. A yellow card is supposed to act as a deterrent for future conduct but it only seemed to intensify Costa’s aggression as he ran past Coleman gloating and screaming in his face after the Everton man had scored an own goal.
The striker was then confronted by Howard, who squared up to him and was cautioned for the incident while Costa dodged a second yellow.
Costa v John O’Shea and Wes Brown
Against Sunderland in November, Costa cut a frustrated figure throughout the 0-0 draw in the north-east. He was involved two separate flashpoints.
The first involved a tangle with John O’Shea with the striker appearing to kick out at the defender after the Sunderland man had waded in with a heavy challenge. Surprisingly, Costa wasn’t even booked for the offence.
He did eventually make it into the referee’s notebook on 54 minutes when he caught Wes Brown flush in the face with an elbow as they were challenging for a high ball. Although the referee saw the incident, he decided against a straight red.
Costa v Steve Bruce
“It was like playing Swan Lake FC” said Hull City manager Steve Bruce after Costa was one of two Chelsea players booked for simulation in their 2-0 victory over the Tigers at Stamford Bridge in December.
The incident happened just after half-time when he tumbled under no contact from Hull midfielder Tom Huddlestone. The speed that Costa got to his feet certainly suggested that the striker had been caught red-handed.
Costa v Jordan Henderson
Costa’s intimidation game didn’t work on Jordan Henderson in the first leg of the Capital One Cup tie at Anfield against Liverpool. The pair came together when Cesc Fabregas tried to stop a quick Henderson free-kick, who pushed the Chelsea midfielder away. Costa confronted Henderson and the Liverpool man seemed to point towards the tunnel to suggest they settled their differences after the match.
The argument continued in the tunnel but Liverpool described the incident as a “minor altercation.”
Costa v Emre Can
Costa was accused of stamping on Liverpool's Emre Can at Stamford Bridge during the narrow victory over Liverpool to reach the Capital One Cup final.
The ex-Atletico Madrid man was attempting to grab the ball for a throw-in when he came down hard on the lower part of Can's right leg.
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers afterwards said Costa was lucky to escape punishment, a view shared by Thierry Henry and Jamie Redknapp in the Sky Sports studio but not by Jose Mourinho.
Henry suggested "the ref didn’t see it, the linesman didn’t see it and the fourth official didn’t see it", and if that is the case Costa could yet be ruled out of the huge Saturday Night Football game against champions Man City. A decision from the FA on that is expected by 6pm on Wednesday.
