Antonio Conte defends Chelsea match-winner Diego Costa after last-gasp goal downs West Ham
New Chelsea manager defends striker after he finds himself at the centre of controversy once again
Chelsea manager 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 at Stamford Bridge to give Conte victory in his first Premier League match at the Chelsea helm.
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.
“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.