Chelsea’s snarling striker Diego Costa has been sent off during his side’s 2-0 FA Cup defeat at Everton after bizarrely nuzzling the neck of opposing midfielder Gareth Barry.
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I’m sure the FA will now look in to the incident and Costa will face a lengthy if found guilty, with Luis Suarez handed a 10-game ban after being found guilty of biting Branislav Ivanovic in 2013.
Kenedy then fired over the bar following a neat one-two with Pedro, while Costa received the first of his two yellow cards after a challenge on Barry left the midfielder crumpled in a heap on the pitch.
Hiddink said: “Without seeing, I don’t want to give judgement on this”. “But without wanting to give a judgement, he was chased a bit in the game as well”.
That they restricted a team that was, Champions League aside, on a 15-game unbeaten run since Hiddink took over to a single shot on target in 90 minutes was a clear illustration of just how well Everton went about their business this afternoon. They knew it. It is within the rules.
“I’m not saying “PROTECT” with capitals, but knowing and feeling the atmosphere, the little provocations”.
Everton manager Roberto Martinez, who was grateful to two moments of brilliance from striker Romelu Lukaku before the red cards to settle an otherwise disappointing tie, played down the incident.
“I am the one bringing expectation and every single player at the club has the right mental character”, said Martinez.
Former referee Howard Webb told BBC Radio 5 live: “I’ll be amazed if Costa is not punished for his reaction after the second yellow card. That is a pity but I think a club like Chelsea you must play with responsibility.
Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, centre, scores his first of two goals during the English FA Cup quarter …
“I think any team can be courageous and be bold and try to achieve a winning team and that is what we try to do”.
Everton won the game on Sunday morning (NZT) thanks to two goals from Romelu Lukaku, booking themselves a place in the semifinals.
Following Lukaku’s five-minute double the Chelsea striker Diego Costa was the first player sent off.
Despite his improvement in form after a disinterested start to the campaign under previous manager Jose Mourinho, Costa still often becomes involved in off-the-ball wars that overshadow his hit-or-miss contributions in front of goal.
Lukaku was not up to the standard is now gone, and their lost boy is now showing signs of being the kind of footballer they would once have broken the transfer record to sign. “Maybe we can go and watch it together”.
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Everton is 12 on the table with 38 points in the 28 games played so far, one point below West Bromwich Albion and one point above Watford FC.
