‘Now I took this decision but the next game I can change or not.
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Conte, 47, has worked his new squad hard in the run-up to the season, with double training sessions.
“We are waiting for the right solution but I’m very happy to have these players because every day they show me a great attitude”.
“We have been working for only one month”.
“I am very pleased with his performance but I know, and he knows, that he can improve a lot”.
Eden Hazard gave the hosts the lead from the penalty spot early on in the second half, after Michail Antonio had fouled Cesar Azpilicueta in the box. “It was great for the management to get off to a good start, as well”.
Costa, 27, scored just 12 Premier League goals last season after scoring 20 in his first season and with Chelsea signing forward Michy Batshuayi for £33m in the summer, it was thought Costa’s first-team place may be at risk.
“Last season was way short of the mark and everybody knows that, so we know what we have to do”.
“He can operate anywhere along the frontline and when you get injuries, you want players who can be that versatile”. It is reported that the Spaniard favours a move back to the La Liga as his two season period at Chelsea wasn’t as fruitful as was expected from him.
“Let’s be honest. Apart from the first 15 minutes and the time we equalised, they were better than us”, Bilic added.
The home team did suffer a scare when the bearded Costa, looking like a swashbuckling pirate, threw himself into a studs up challenge with Adrian and was lucky not to get a red card.
Antonio Conte would have been delighted by his side’s commitment and fight. I even found it a bit weird, but then I understood.
‘When a coach takes this decision there is always a reason but I prefer to keep this to myself.
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Costa’s escape was certainly lucky for Chelsea after the Spaniard received a pass from new signing Michy Batshuayi and fired a low shot into the net for the late victor.
