Manager Antonio Conte defends match-winner Diego following his late challenge on West Ham United ’keeper in Chelsea’s 2-1 EPL opener victory
Diego Costa and Antonio Conte
London: Antonio Conte defended Diego Costa after the snarling striker found himself at the centre of controversy once again in his side’s 2-1 victory over West Ham United. Costa struck an 89th-minute winner in Monday’s game to give Conte victory in his first EPL win at the Chelsea helm.
Chelsea’s Diego Costa celebrates after scoring the winner during an EPL match vs West Ham at Stamford Bridge in London on Monday. Pic/AFP
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But the Brazil-born Spain international was fortunate to be on the pitch, having earlier caught West Ham goalkeeper Adrian with a late challenge after he had already received a yellow card. “Diego tried to put pressure on Adrian and before the contact, he stopped,” Conte said, in comments that seemed to be contradicted by the evidence of television replays.
Antonio Conte
“For this reason I think the referee took the right decision. You know Diego is a passionate man and he puts passion in everything he does. In this situation, I think the referee took the right decision.”
Chelsea were leading 1-0, courtesy of Eden Hazard’s 47th-minute penalty, when Costa launched into a challenge on the dawdling Adrian, appearing to catch him high on the right calf.
Referee Anthony Taylor had booked Costa for dissent in the first half, but on this occasion he kept his cards in his pocket.
West Ham’s James Collins equallised 13 minutes from time, but Costa had the final say when he rifled home a
low shot.
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