To contest the appeal of the Premier League would be wildly outlandish and slanderous these days, for the brilliance of the peaks and troughs associated are too thrilling to pass up. This season, it’s been largely about one top Spaniard than rivalries between teams; Diego Costa is actively spicing up the English league and keeping the agony of the game alive. Whether you’re in awe or downright terrified of the man, he’s in your vision, and certainly making a lasting impact.
The ex-Atlético Madrid hotshot has been invaluable for Chelsea thus far; his first Premier League campaign has been dazzling, boasting a tally of nine sharp goals. José Mourinho’s top goal scorer is a relished member of the squad, allegedly bringing both jokes and necessary angst. His feisty temper hasn’t always portrayed him in the most settling of lights, but his ability certainly shines ahead of much else in England.
Diego Costa’s presence and jazzy trickery seems to mesh adequately with his teammates, notably including Brazil’s Willian, and the mighty Cesc Fàbregas. Calling Diego Costa ‘instrumental’ would be rather downgrading his contribution; I would openly argue that he is the sole reason that Chelsea are in their current position, both in form and on the league table. Many would agree.
Whether the omnipotent Spanish striker relies on personal skill or his team to get him this far is almost an unnecessary dichotomy to ponder; all the fundamentals are in place with the 26-year-old, and he’s so well suited to the pace of the Premier League. Here, I offer a fleeting dissection of his progress thus far.
Diego Costa: Game-by-Game
Match Week 1: Burnley (1 Goal)
Chelsea fans were undeniably holding out for a confident start from their time, and it didn’t kick off (literally) for Mourinho’s men until the Monday. Nevertheless, the wait was very worthwhile. Diego Costa’s debut was exciting, adventurous and his talent was well showcased, producing his first goal of many so far in the season. Against Burnley, Costa began his run in the English league ideally, and grafted well with his team. Despite his first yellow card also coming with this game, and several other odd fouls, his career in England was looking promising – this hasn’t altered since.
Match Week 2: Leicester City (1 Goal)
Generating a second goal in his second game, Diego Costa played phenomenally once again, versus Leicester. Branislav Ivanović offered another assist for the Spanish gem, after setting him up against Burnley the week prior. Gelling well with fellow footballers at the club was essential for Diego Costa, and by week two, he was already showing evidence of this in spades. One goal helped his team along, and he was then rewarded with a rest on the bench in favour of the return of angelic Didier Drogba.
Match Week 3: Everton (2 Goals)
Firstly, wow. What a fantastic fixture. Within a minute, Fàbregas to Costa, and wham, a goal was in. Somehow Diego Costa made it look so very easy, and that was telling of his second goal flocking in later. A yellow card, a shot pelted straight at Tim Howard saved, but he carried on. Steven Naismith was on form for Everton, and his particular side in blue put up one huge fight against Mourinho’s chaps. It was the interception of Everton’s Bosnian Muhamed Bešić that aligned Diego Costa and the ball together in such a timely fashion, and that made his second of the match.
Match Week 4: Swansea City (3 Goals)
Despite the awesome tenacity and sneaky skills of Garry Monk’s Swansea, Chelsea ruined their hopes for success; Diego Costa was the most memorable culprit (as per), slamming in a tremendous hat-trick. Swansea appeared sturdy, and not too concerned at first, with Wayne Routledge entirely on the prowl. However, Diego Costa has possessed something of a biblical aura of late. The scoring streak of the old Atlético man was unstoppable during this game, once again with Fàbregas mostly to thank. That made three goals to add to the scoreboard for Diego Costa in a single game. Kudos.
Match Week 5: Manchester City (No Goal)
A tough game against the current reigning league champions, and one rather uneventful in terms of Diego Costa goals. The trophy-holders were clearly ready and raring to defend their title, whilst Frank Lampard was glad to cower away from the spotlight in some form of shame. But who would want to celebrate against their previous club? A great and successful strike from André Schürrle, and then Lampard was forced to endure the celebrations attached to scoring. A laugh in the face of Chelsea from Lampard was badly digested, and made all the worse by Costa not snatching a goal.
Match Week 6: Aston Villa (1 Goal)
This match was more along the lines of a Brazil comeback game for the failures of the summer. Poor Oscar and Willian had suffered several astonishing, yet bitter, blows during their World Cup bid, but this fixture against Aston Villa was enthralling and, no doubt, empowering for the Brazilian contingent of the squad. Ivanović set up Oscar, Diego Costa lined the ball up for Willian, and then the Spaniard seized control from César Azpilicueta, making an extraordinarily smashing watch. Costa’s return to form, aka goal scoring, was well worth viewing.
Match Week 7: Arsenal (1 Goal)
The spoils of the massive clash were yet again enjoyed by Diego Costa, who gained his ninth of the season in this tense meeting against Arsène Wenger’s Arsenal. Chelsea dominated throughout, with Eden Hazard whipping up a frenzy of drama, earning a penalty kick. His shot fired in, grabbing a 1-0 lead for Chelsea. This didn’t last long, though; Diego Costa hammered the final nail into Arsenal’s coffin, with a little help from formidable foe (well, in the eyes of one side of the stadium), Fàbregas. Another great show before the international break; a period in which Diego Costa will likely maintain vital form and strength, and trail back to the Premier League all guns blazing.
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Main Photo credit: IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images
