Diego Costa

[LDN Blue 7,903]

Keeps that up and he might be my first Chelsea player in my FPL in a long, long, time..

[Sir Mikel OBE 4,919]

Absolutely fantastic performance.

[Barbara 15,149]

My MOTM although Mikel deserves a mention and so does Zouma and Willian.

We need Diego more than we need anyone else. When he's up there playing football, he's essential for us because he scores goals. He didn't even move his eyes from the ball and the goal in the assist for Oscar and I guess that's what surprised the most the goalie and his marker. He only ever looked to Oscar after he passed. He was smart, he was focused, his movement was marvelous and even his 1x1 plays today - which we know is hit or miss - were mostly great.

I say we need him more than anyone else for his scoring ability, but also because he fires up the whole team. His never-ending pressing and dedication, he demands others around him to do the same. The old Diego isn't the most technical striker around, there are many others better than him in that aspect, but he's a hell of an effective player that can change a team around with the right attitude because it's contagious and also because  - as I said - he fires everyone up.

I'm very happy the fans chanted his name many times in the match. He needs the love, he's an emotional, passionate player, he will always need this kind of support to reach his best. Not among the players I want to see gone, even if he clearly had problems performing for/under Mourinho lately. As I said, emotional guy...

[Stats 7,054]

In the last 3 games he has played, he literally has refrained from getting into any confrontations at all. You can see Delaney was trying to wind him up like he did at SF and because of that he got the better of him. Today, he tried to do the same but did not work. Did a reckless challenge in the first half but Costa did not react. Love that and you can see Hiddink has had words to help him focus on football only and it is really playing off.

[Jase 43,479]

That's more like it Diego! Focus on football and none of the nonsense fighting stuff and the performances as well as goals will come.

It might be too early to say but Hiddink might just be working his 'magic' with Costa like he did with Drogba back in 2009 - some coaching on his strengths and 'arms around the shoulder' man-management -. Both strikers appeared to have lost their way but Hiddink came in and got them back on track.

[Special Juan 27,424]

He just got on with it, whether he was challenged badly or fairly he just kept on trucking.

If he carries on like that he will score more goals and we will see a more fluent DC

[Hybrid Angel 2,130]

Pace and power. Costa at his best.

Hiddink really knows how to use Costa's emotional character in his and more importantly the team's favour. Of course he's been struggling with form but but that's not something new with strikers. 

A huge part of our 'awakening' relies on him, hope the big man keeps it up. 

[xPetrCechx 13,563]

Think Only Football.

[Blue Armour 4,278]

6 hours ago, Jason said:

 

It might be too early to say but Hiddink might just be working his 'magic' with Costa like he did with Drogba back in 2009

Haha, hopefully not to the  point where Costa starts swearing at the camera! :-D

[Reddish-Blue 2,347]

8 hours ago, Mana said:

This is the Diego Costa I missed SO much. Hated the thug Costa we had in the past 6 months. Just keep cool, play like you want to score and of course score! Keep it going Costa. Him, Mikel and Willian were MOTM for me today.

Even the commentators on the NBC stream were saying that Diego finally looks interested in playing football again.  He's no longer looking to pick a fight with the opposition CB

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Excellent performance but it's beginning to concern me that he has gone straight down the tunnel instead of to the fans - when nearly the whole of the team did, twice.

[Special Juan 27,424]

2 minutes ago, CurlyHairLikeLuiz said:

Excellent performance but it's beginning to concern me that he has gone straight down the tunnel instead of to the fans - when nearly the whole of the team did, twice.

He applauded the fans at the end, he walked to what appeared to be the centre circle and clapped them.

[CurlyHairLikeLuiz 1,625]

Just now, Special Juan said:

He applauded the fans at the end, he walked to what appeared to be the centre circle and clapped them.

Oh right we were in the away end and thought he'd stormed off. Fair enough then!

[Special Juan 27,424]

Just now, CurlyHairLikeLuiz said:

Oh right we were in the away end and thought he'd stormed off. Fair enough then!

 

It zoomed in straight onto him on SKY and he clearly acknowledged the fans.

[Fulham Broadway 16,838]

1 hour ago, CurlyHairLikeLuiz said:

Oh right we were in the away end and thought he'd stormed off. Fair enough then!

Think youre right CHLL. My mate said he was the only one who didnt acknowledge the fans just gave a little clap, and then Eddie Newton grabbed him as if to say go over, and Costa looked as if he said something like  'already did that' then gave another little clap. Not a lot to be read into it though imo

[Rhino's Skin 972]

23 minutes ago, Fulham Broadway said:

Think youre right CHLL. My mate said he was the only one who didnt acknowledge the fans just gave a little clap, and then Eddie Newton grabbed him as if to say go over, and Costa looked as if he said something like  'already did that' then gave another little clap. Not a lot to be read into it though imo

he also ackowledged the support during the game a couple of times

[Fulham Broadway 16,838]

3 minutes ago, Rhino's Skin said:

he also ackowledged the support during the game a couple of times

Ok then thats good. Hes excusable anyway being a bit mental. His overall attitude yesterday I thought was excellent -picking bits up in the six yard box, holding the ball up, and importantly staying out of trouble instead of acting like a pissed up cunt in a nightclub. Also what Guss said in the press conference was just what Mourinho said anyway with regard to Costa, so fuck knows what was going on and why the difference. However we do know Mourinho creates a more tense situation.

Actually overall with the players expressing themselves, unfettered artistry flowing, I am starting to think there could have been something in the Eva thing all along. But anyway thats all gone now... time to move on

 

[Rhino's Skin 972]

he also ackowledged the support during the game a couple of times

Ok then thats good. Hes excusable anyway being a bit mental. His overall attitude yesterday I thought was excellent -picking bits up in the six yard box, holding the ball up, and importantly staying out of trouble instead of acting like a pissed up cunt in a nightclub. Also what Guss said in the press conference was just what Mourinho said anyway with regard to Costa, so fuck knows what was going on and why the difference. However we do know Mourinho creates a more tense situation.

Actually overall with the players expressing themselves, unfettered artistry flowing, I am starting to think there could have been something in the Eva thing all along. But anyway thats all gone now... time to move on

 

Anyway...it was Matic and Fabregas that didnt seem to ackowledge us and went straight off to the tunnel.....but I stand to be corrected.

Do seem to recall Costa getting to the 18 yard box to acknowledge us from further back than the main group