Costa Fights In A Good Way – Guus Hiddink

Guus Hiddink says Diego Costa “likes to fight — in a good way” and warned any defenders facing the Chelsea striker that trouble awaits.

Costa scored the decisive goal in Chelsea’s 1-0 win at Arsenal on Sunday, not long after being tripped by Per Mertesacker, who was sent off after 18 minutes.

The striker now has six goals in six games under Hiddink, who hopes he will shake off a knee problem which forced his early withdrawal at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger again bemoaned the influence of Costa, who antagonised the Gunners last September when Gabriel saw red.

But Hiddink was grateful Costa focused on football and delivered.

“He is important, because he’s focusing on his first job,” the Dutchman said on Chelsea TV.

“If you have to play him as a central defender, then you are a bit in trouble.

“He likes to fight — in a good way — and he’s got his credentials.”

Costa was one of the players who drew the Chelsea supporters’ anger after Jose Mourinho’s departure last month.

Hiddink reckons Chelsea’s players have won back the faith of the supporters after overseeing a seven-match unbeaten run.

Chelsea are undefeated in eight since Mourinho’s departure, the first game of that sequence a defeat of Sunderland prior to Hiddink’s appointment which was saw the fans turn on the players who seven months earlier had delivered the title.

Like Costa, Cesc Fabregas was one of the primary targets for the supporters’ frustration then, but both excelled at the Emirates Stadium, with the playmaker appearing to thrive on the taunts against his former club.