I'm baffled by the comments that Costa had "another poor game", I thought he was brilliant but everyone has a right to an opinion. It was the first time this season for me that he actually looked confident, running at defenders, bringing the others into play and he held the ball up brilliantly. After scoring one and being the reason for the third happening, I don't know what else people expect

He played his best game so far, he missed two great chances but his hold up play was excellent and the goal he scored was very similar to the kind he scored last season.

Diego wasn't great today and he's looked off this season, but a goal and an assist for a player who isn't at his best isn't bad.

today was a big improvement on his first two games. looked a lot more like the costa of last season. held it up well, looked dangerous in the penalty area. i think pedro making runs beyond him, and finding him with early passes helped him considerably

I thought he was good in spells, I'm sure he'll start firing on all cylinders very soon. As for his weight, I disagree, he wouldn't be playing if he was overweight, judging by his amazing run for the goal, he looks fully fit to me.

As for his altercation with Yacob, he risks getting in trouble and I'm getting a bit bored by it.

I disagree, he's painted by Sky pundits and other pundits as the bad man all the time, but players insist on antogonising him, plus he has little protection. Diego Costa without aggression is not the same player, besides the game has become far too soft, that's why he's like a breath of fresh air.

had a poor game again today. technically he is just not very good. his shooting is terrible atm and i would rather see traore up front if costa doesn't pick it up in the next few games. okay he scored a goal, but his general play was abysmal for a player of his level, and he costs us possession.

Yeah and if Hazard doesnt improve we should think about giving Boga a runout.

f**king lol

Edited August 23, 201510 yr by Xfaxtor

Thought he was decent today, isolated at times but held it up well and generally caused them problems. I think without the sending off he may have had more joy second half.

As for clambering for him to replaced by Traore just lol!

Played well today, think he would have scored more if we hadnt have gone down to 10 men.

Played well today, think he would have scored more if we hadnt have gone down to 10 men.

 

Agreed. He led the line well, held the ball up consistently and took his goal well. Not many seem to have realised that he actually sprinted from our own box to theirs (100 yards or so) uninterrupted to get into position to score. For someone that has problems with his hamstrings this was very encouraging to see. I also think we'd have won this 4/5-1 if JT had not got sent off.

 

Also, Traore upfront? What an utterly silly thing to say. 

Agreed. He led the line well, held the ball up consistently and took his goal well. Not many seem to have realised that he actually sprinted from our own box to theirs (100 yards or so) uninterrupted to get into position to score. For someone that has problems with his hamstrings this was very encouraging to see. I also think we'd have won this 4/5-1 if JT had not got sent off.

Also, Traore upfront? What an utterly silly thing to say.

I mention in the pedro thread that I think pedro will stretch teams with his movement which should give costa a bit more room to operate.

Sometimes we play so narrow, and costa is pretty much up against 2 centre backs and a covering full back.

Hopefully he stays fit and keeps scoring.

Agree with all minus last point, I'm not 100% he makes top five but still a brilliant player.

 

Messi, Suarez, Aguero, maybe Lewandowski and Ibra..

 

I'd say probably hovering around the 4-6 mark dependent on form.

Edited August 23, 201510 yr by Jonty

Awesome performance, shooting was still off, but I'm confident that will be back with more game time. I feared the worst when he came off and Falcao on.

Costa had a decent game, he did his job, worked his ass off, scored and set one up. He's not 100% yet but the whole team isnt. In a few weeks we will be flying with this team.

Messi, Suarez, Aguero, maybe Lewandowski and Ibra..

 

I'd say probably hovering around the 4-6 mark dependent on form.

 

 

Hes better the Lewandowski for me. Also while always reckoning Ibra's talent Ive always had question marks over whether or not he is as good as people proclaim him to be. If Messi is considered a striker you probably have to consider Ronaldo one was well. I also would have Neymar in that list. Isn't it shocking that only 2 years ago Falcou would have been in that list 

I do hope he proves me wrong, but I don't expect him to reach double figures again this season. To see the difference between him and aguero is painful. He is not a poor striker, I just don't feel he's as good as people think he is. He certainly isn't a drogba 2.0 that is for sure. If he proves to be a success again this season then I'll never say anything negative about him ever again, but atm he isn't showing enough for me to have 100% faith in him. His hamstring issues are a problem and his attitude too, and he could easily have been off for that headbutt if the ref saw it. He pushes the boundaries too much and needs to curb that a lot and show what he can do on the field with his footballing abilities only.

Nonsense.

Those "Keep Calm" memes should be banned. They're absolutely everywhere these days for some reason. Not related to this forum, but people in advertising who still use them should hang their heads in shame. It was mildly amusing the first time, but after seeing these about nine million times... Not so much.

When I was down in London the gift shops were full of them especially beside the London Eye.

Edited August 24, 201510 yr by Chelsbear

A vast number of his goals actually come from within the box (its actually the case with CFC in general) This season and also at the end of last season we were playing without width and he was getting crowded out, As someone mentioned earlier with the arrival of Pedro defences will be stretched allowing him a little more space in the box.

 

I am sure he will hit double digits for the season 

 he could easily have been off for that headbutt if the ref saw it. 

 

You must be joking - he moved his head very very slightly.  

You must be joking - he moved his head very very slightly.  

 

this is the EPL where refs and, more importantly, the FA ( acronym for = f**king assholes) analyse every little thing. He needs to hold back his aggression on the pitch in these situations because we don't want another player missing crucial games. 

His aggression is what makes him awesome and fearless. He knows not to step over the line....he's more interested in winding others up so they crack.

Nonsense.

 

i don't deny his movement and hold up play, even link up play is poor, it's just he is not very good at beating his man and his touch is poor which causes us to lose possession. i am being overly harsh looking back at my comments now, but i still hope he improves because technically he is still far from polished for a top striker.